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New 'Spider Pill' Roams Body Hunting Cancer

Camera pill first to be fully remote-controlled

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 12, 2009 10:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – It sounds like something out of science fiction, but a tiny robotic spider could save your life. Scientists have created a pill-sized camera that, once swallowed, can deploy mechanical legs and roam the body looking for cancer or other maladies, the Daily Telegraph reports. The “spider pill” is controlled wirelessly by doctors. Though camera pills have existed before, this is the first remote-controlled version, and could improve cancer treatments. It’s currently being tested on pigs, but doctors expect human trials soon.

The experimental pill probably doesn't actually look much like this.
The experimental pill probably doesn't actually look much like this.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
cognitivefilter
Oct 13, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
wtf creepy terminator shit
Sayyiduna
Oct 12, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
Seeing as delivering the drugs only to cancer cells is one of the greatest challenges modern oncologists face, this may be an understated breakthrough in cancer treatment and well on the path to a cure.
metalworldorder
Oct 12, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
That picture totally reminded me of those robot bugs in Minority Report. Such a good movie...

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