INNOVATED SOLUTIONS FOR GENE THERAPY PETS
PROJECT
Speculative Design: Life in 2070s
TEAM
Solo
RESPONSIBILITIES
BACKGROUND
User Research
Imagination
MY ROLE
Due to many social issues, we have witnessed a decline in new bores and a low desire for children. There is no doubt that we are experiencing an aging society, for example, Japan. Many millennials prefer plants or animals as their children than babies; the reason for it is because many of them believe that it's too much responsibility, financial pressure, and freedom. The "DINK" lifestyle has become more acceptable in today's society, and pets are now more common than kids in many U.S. cities. For example, San Francisco is home to nearly 150,000 dogs but just 115,000 children under age 18. With gene therapies and advanced medical technology, dogs' life expectancy might change in the next decades.
Researcher
The Challenge
Pet and animals will become a big part of our future, and how we can redefine our role with them are crucial. If pets are replacing children's roles, possibly live longer, and with more intelligence, our partnership with them will no longer be the same. They will be more than just 15 years of companionship; a stronger bond will take place. How can we make sure we are considering animal's self-awareness.
Goal
1. Redefine relation between pets and people
2. Promote communication
3. Pet centered design
Preview
Discover
Weak signals happening in the 2020s?
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1. Fewer children, more pets, and decline in population
Millennials are more likely to spend money on their pet such as clothing, luxury cars, or even buying a home for the yard space.
70% of American parents younger than 50 say it's unlikely they will have more children in the future. Among childless adults in the same age group, 37% say they don't ever expect to become parents.
​70% of US Millennials boasting having at least one pet.
Pets are now more common than kids in many U.S. cities. San Francisco, for example, is home to nearly 150,000 dogs but just 115,000 children under age 18.
Why is it important?
If millennials do not change their minds about having children, we will end up with population decline and economic problems in the future. Also, when people only have pets as family members and with a strong attachment, losing them might be too depressing since they don't have anyone else to draw their attention. Also, maybe people are having children much later, which puts them at higher risk of pregnancy.
2. The pill that could extend the lifespan of pet dogs by years
The Dog Aging Project started the first of a three-phase set of tests in 2017 at the University of Washington. The purpose of this project is to see if the anti-rejection medicine, rapamycin, could help dogs live longer with other factors such as environment and lifestyle. It is already used to help humans accept kidneys after a transplant, and it has been found to increase mice's lifespan by up to 25%.
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Why it's important
With this study, animal's life span may increase. It allows us to help our pets live more healthily. Dog and people lived in the same environment and shared some same diseases. We can learn from each other, so this study is beneficial to people and dogs. After I read several related articles, I am starting to wonder the scientist testing on the dog is ultimately benefit human instead? Is this just a more admirable excuse for testing on the animal without being a question for animal cruelty?
3. Human Technology in Dog
Today, we used technology in dogs such as augmented reality goggles on combat dogs in the US Army. This technology is designed by Command Sight and managed by the US Army Research Laboratory.
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Why it's important
Dogs or other animals can have the opportunity to experience more advanced technology. Hopefully, in the future, it's for animal entertainment than people's commands. I can see this technology be useful for assistance dogs in the future.
In summary of the above long writing, people love their pets!
Audience
I want to focus on pets that have gone thru gene therapy with the support of owners/parents.
Future Wheel
Family Tree of 2070
Since 2020, the earth is attacked by airborne viruses and people started to stay indoors. Airborne viruses killed nearly 1/10 of the world’s population by 2030. 18% of the recovered patients have severe side effects, and their life expectancy has drastically decreased. Not only with disease, but more than 20 countries also have air pollution issues. Due to the harsh environment, marriage and birth rates decline dramatically. But at the same time, pet breeders are overwhelmed with puppy and kitten demands. With advanced medication, many diseases such as cancer are curable using gene therapy. Therefore, even though the human population keeps declining, many people’s lifespans are much longer. Later this technology is used on animals so they can assist humans.
There are more pets than kids for this generation. Gene therapy is accepting animal patience; therefore, pets’ lifespan has increased. People started to emphasize pet’s self-awareness and refine partnership. Many pets have joined the human workforce to assist people because of an aging community and environmental issues.
Deliverable
Deliverable
Image myself doing a sales presentation in 2073 trying to get pet parents to purchase my programs. The design style is futuristic design. I want to convince the viewers that this is from the future so people understand the craziness behind it and think outside the box.
Hi, I am Ting82S with AniLink. I work with 2 university-level dogs, 1 high school level cat, and 2 human researchers. I currently am 80 years old and stop aging in 2030 with gene therapy! Here we go!
👈 click
Reflection
This project was full of imagination and fun. .....
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