On the one hand, that we are able to begin mimicing natural behaviours in the body astounds me, and clearly the possibilities are there for improved healthcare whilst minimising potential side effects for the patient. Treatments such as Chemotherapy have come a long way from their original inception but they can still leave the patient very ill and susceptible to other diseases. Targetted treatment which is able to operate at the cellular level will surely reduce this risk even further. Whilst this particular research is directed at the treatment of tumors it would undoubtedly be useful in many areas of medicine - perhaps even as a generalised treatment for all kinds of run of the mill illnesses (assuming patents are an issue.)

The flip side of this is always: what happens when it goes wrong? Will doctors be able to switch off the cellular behaviours if they see things diverging from their expected norm? Will the treatment simply run amok in the body causing far more (irreperable?) damage than the original disease? This research also talks about self-assembly within the body - Grey Goo anyone? anyone.

I have no desire to hold back medical advances and deny those who really need these treatments their opportunity for recovery. I just hope that medical science knows enough about what it is doing is all. Misgivings aside, it truly is fascinating stuff.

The actual reasearch paper is available from PNAS for those who wish to read it.