Cancer Glasses

Glasses that imitate insects’ vision promise to help surgeons detect cancer cells. The glasses incorporate a camera inspired by morpho butterflies’ eyes. These special goggles enable the surgeons to spot dyed cancer cells below the surface because the butterfly-inspired camera in the goggles can detect the dye’s infrared fluorescence through the overlying skin. Wearing these glasses, surgeons can minimize their incisions before surgery and be sure they don’t leave cancer cells behind in the body after surgery.

The developers of the glasses expect them to cost about $200. That compares with $20,000 for the least expensive instrument currently available for detecting cancer cells.

Loving our neighbor includes finding ways to reduce the effects of the curse. Scientists and engineers, created in God’s image, are constantly learning from his designs. And in his grace, he allows even those who refuse to acknowledge him the privilege of serving others with the abilities he has given.

Photo by Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Polaris July–August

A Washington University surgeon performs a cancer operation using a type of visual device that imitates butterfly eyes to give a better view of tumors.

This article was taken from Answers magazine, July–September, 2018, 33.