How has society perceived the idea of implants in the USA over the past two decades?

How has society perceived the idea of implants in the USA over the past two decades?

According to Oxford Languages, an implant designates something that is put into a part of the body, usually in a medical operation, with the goal of improving or enhancing different aspects of human life. Coming from the Egyptian and Mayan civilisations, they have greatly evolved in precision and technicality during the XXth century. However, a new type of implant has emerged and developed itself over the past two decades. Alternative implants have recently been developed in order to offer more flexible and personalized treatments. Hence, this has led to an entirely new use of these implants while nonetheless keeping medical use as their main purpose. For instance, implants are nowadays operating in various new fields like technology and fashion. This has consequently led to many discussions in the United States, as one side of the population views implants as a potential danger to autonomy and personal privacy, while others find the idea of expanding human capabilities captivating and see them as a way to improve quality of life. Therefore, it is important to discuss how American society has perceived implants over the past two decades. Firstly, the benefits of implants will be studied to identify the areas in which they contribute to improving quality of life and in what ways they accomplish this. Then, the drawbacks of implants will be discussed while taking a closer look at their current state in society from various points of view, in order to understand the controversy surrounding the topic of implants over the past two decades.

First, the evolution of implants throughout the decades has led to the appearance of their various qualities, which society now benefits from. The use of prosthetics has been popularized with the perfectionning of technology, as lightweight and durable materials are now more commonly used than ever before. This can in fact be perceived through Data Bridge Market Research’s article, which showcases the future growth of the global robotic prosthetics market. Here, it is claimed that the market will double in value by 2029, going from 1269.6 million USD in 2021 to 2548.38 million USD by 2029. Despite the fact that COVID-19 has contributed to the rise in the price of raw materials and transportation expenses, said evolution of the market value is mainly due to an increment in the demand for robotic prosthetics around the world. Then, another key factor in the use of implants nowadays is the use of computer programming and technology. For instance, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) has shown progress in the development of mind controlled body parts. Zac Vawter, who tested a bionic leg, stated that this invention is “a huge milestone for [him] and all leg amputees”. Its functioning is done through the wearer’s thoughts, and therefore does not require any physical effort from the area that the individual is handicapped in. Furthermore, the RIC is looking forward to expanding this prototype around America, and is expected to set the minimum price of a bionic mind-controlled arm at a minimum of 20,000 USD. While not being completely affordable, this price is mildly reasonable for a decent amount of the American population, as it is described by Vawter as “mak[ing] a phenomenal difference”. Moreover, this type of implant provides mobility in order to maintain an active and productive lifestyle, while also increasing self-esteem and reducing the risk of secondary health problems such as joint degeneration, skin breakdown, and cardiovascular issues. In this way, it is shown that the integration of computer science and robotics greatly contributes to the creation and functionality of prosthetic devices.

Consequently, this has generated a feeling of safety, and even comfort around the subject of prosthetic implants for missing or malfunctioning body parts.

Furthermore, alternative implants have recently been popularized in the fashion industry in an attempt to enhance a person’s appearance. While they may result unappealing to some, others find them a revolutionary form of creativity and a bolder alternative to tattoos. There are many pioneers in the sector of alternative fashion implants. For instance, Kim Kardashian has had a necklace implanted in her neck that glows simultaneously with her heart rate. Coming from A. Human, the futuristic fashion brand, has as its objective to excite, provoke, and entertain audiences around the world while destigmatizing bodily enhancements that were previously considered taboo by society. Another example of a celebrity who has made use of body modification is Chrissy Teigen. The American model has made a drastic change in her physical appearance, using body modification to implant an artwork showcasing feathers around her neck. These two celebrities, who were already considered fashion icons of the 2010s, have had an influential effect on society’s perception of alternative implants, making people more open minded about self-expression through body modification. According to Simon Huck, principal owner of the public relations firm Command Entertainment Group (which launched the A. Human exhibition in 2018), Kim Kardashian’s protruding skin necklace and Chrissy Teigen’s chest feathers show displays of physical alterations that “make it impossible to distinguish reality from fantasy”. However, there are other types of alternative implants in fashion, like LED or magnet implants. On one hand, LED implants require the insertion of small lights under the skin. They are usually embedded in a biocompatible material and powered by a small battery for the purpose of creating a unique and customizable light display that can be seen through human skin. On the other hand, magnet implants play a less important role on the visual and artistic side, but are one of the main forms of expression in the medical punk subculture. According to

Adi Robertson, writer of The Verge, they create small magnetic fields inside one’s body and are seen as a “sixth sense” by many users as they make them feel electronic devices and metal objects. Thus, alternative body implants in fashion are a form of self expression looking to provide and popularize a revolutionary aesthetic style: from body decoration to body modification.

Moreover, neural implants serve the function of stimulating the human mind in many ways. Firstly, invasive implants involve the insertion of electrodes directly into the patient’s brain tissue, while non-invasive implants use external devices to monitor neural activity without direct contact with the brain. However, these two types of implants have traditionally served the same purpose: treating neurological disorders. For instance, according to Kelly Servick, a writer for the Science journal,

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