Bioengineering, as the name implies, is the application of engineering principles to biological science. Such a broad definition is necessary because bioengineering affects so many aspects of our daily lives, from the foods we eat to the medical care we receive.

The domestication and selective breeding of plants and animals for agricultural purposes centuries ago is considered by many to be the informal beginning of bioengineering. Farmers observed that livestock offspring typically carried the traits of their parents. By breeding two individuals with desirable traits, they could increase the odds that future generations would also have these characteristics. Bioengineering also helped early agriculturists develop methods for preserving food and for making processed foods, such as cheese, beer, and wine, from raw ingredients.

Due to our vastly improved understanding of biological systems and dramatic advances in technology, innovations in bioengineering have come more and more quickly, especially in recent decades. However, regardless of their era or their objectives, bioengineers generally follow the same design process. After identifying a problem or challenge, they research and brainstorm possible solutions, develop one potential solution, test their design, evaluate its performance, and refine their design.

In general, bioengineering in the 21st century has two primary aims. One is to create. The goal of this type of work may be to produce living tissues, prosthetic limbs, or artificial organs that can be used to treat various medical conditions; it may be to develop new materials and devices that are inspired by or mimic biological systems; or it may be to improve the productivity of crops or livestock. The other aim of bioengineering is to find better ways to analyze biological systems in order to improve our understanding of how they function. This type of research has led, for example, to dramatic advances in medical imaging. Where once exploratory surgery might have been necessary to determine the nature of an illness or injury, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs now provide detailed images of the inner workings of the body.

In one of the most exciting medical advances to date, neuroscientists and bioengineers have developed a system that enables people to control electronic devices with their thoughts alone. The system — featured in this video segment — has the potential to return people's lost functions, and may thus prove particularly useful to those who have lost limbs or become paralyzed.

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