i just read that article - that is a shocking example of bad journalism. The real reason he is being investigated is the allegation he allowed his partner and assistant perform medical operations.
I have mixed feelings about the general concept. I mean, I suppose if the patients don't care and the fat was processed properly and poses no harm to people's health, then I guess it's no different from other biodiesel. But just the idea of using human fat from people's fatty areas sounds gross to me. shudder
Good points. I mean, I suppose there's no logical reason to protest to the practice. After all, it's recycling waste, which is better than dumping it somewhere. It just grosses me out anyway. :-/
The "this is freaky, too weird" is a very powerful feeling when it comes to these things.
Anytime human waste (removed fat), human organs, human research is used in some financial-gain way other than "for the greater societal good" we humans get shocked and don't know what to think.
I think is a moral thing. We don't really know how to react, if its allowed or not.
I don't know what to think either, but we may need to be open to changing our "norms".
We may need fuels processed from new and inventive sources in the future.
Apparently California law prohibits making any fuels from "human waste". So if someone came up with a fantastic idea to make a powerful fuel 100x more powerful than gasoline out of human feces, it would be a no-go. :(
17 comments so far
http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/21/fat-fuel-biodiesel-tech-sciences-czpcb1222fatfuel.html
8 months, 3 weeks ago by Bishop
Disgusting...
8 months, 3 weeks ago by jezlyn
I don't see whats wrong with it, if he asked the patients consent. It's a little freaky, but it is just the same as animal fat..
8 months, 3 weeks ago by runningwithbulls
I'm sure it's a bio hazard. Come on though that's really green thinking.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by JebBrilliant
as long as it has been heated past 120 deg C (where no living organism can survive), there is no bio material alive in it.
Over here, there is an industry to turn oil, used from frying in fast-food shops, into fuel.
It is no different. Like I said freaky, but the same thing.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by runningwithbulls
i just read that article - that is a shocking example of bad journalism. The real reason he is being investigated is the allegation he allowed his partner and assistant perform medical operations.
Thats a whole different story!
8 months, 3 weeks ago by runningwithbulls
I have mixed feelings about the general concept. I mean, I suppose if the patients don't care and the fat was processed properly and poses no harm to people's health, then I guess it's no different from other biodiesel. But just the idea of using human fat from people's fatty areas sounds gross to me. shudder
8 months, 3 weeks ago by jezlyn
Doesn't freak me out at all. We eat eggs that come out of a chickens ass but don't want to heat up fat and save fuel? We are a weird bunch.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by CaffeineJunky
I remember this story and don't see why he would need patients' consent
8 months, 3 weeks ago by bogart
Good points. I mean, I suppose there's no logical reason to protest to the practice. After all, it's recycling waste, which is better than dumping it somewhere. It just grosses me out anyway. :-/
8 months, 3 weeks ago by jezlyn
The "this is freaky, too weird" is a very powerful feeling when it comes to these things.
Anytime human waste (removed fat), human organs, human research is used in some financial-gain way other than "for the greater societal good" we humans get shocked and don't know what to think.
I think is a moral thing. We don't really know how to react, if its allowed or not.
I don't know what to think either, but we may need to be open to changing our "norms".
We may need fuels processed from new and inventive sources in the future.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by runningwithbulls
@bogart I guess the reason for the consent would be to cover any moral question.
You don't want some lady/man to go crazy thinking they're now just an inhuman source of fat....:D
8 months, 3 weeks ago by runningwithbulls
Apparently California law prohibits making any fuels from "human waste". So if someone came up with a fantastic idea to make a powerful fuel 100x more powerful than gasoline out of human feces, it would be a no-go. :(
8 months, 3 weeks ago by Bishop
As if. This isn't South Korea
8 months, 3 weeks ago by edythemighty
@edy: Once again I am humbled by your knowledge of esoterica involving human bodily functions.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by Bishop
Hey, it's an anime.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by edythemighty
Once again I am astounded by the proliferation of anime involving human bodily functions.
8 months, 3 weeks ago by Bishop