As we enter the 21st century, the field of biomaterials is becoming one of the most intellectually exciting areas of materials science and engineeing. Even though activity in this field is not new, there is currently fresh energy in this subject brought about by the remarkable advances in molecular and cell biology of the past two decades. Early activities in this field (40 or 50 years ago) dealt with the selection and characterization of well-established synthetic maerials to fabricate implants for use in medicine and as restorative materials in dentistry. Materials well established in technology and not orginally developed as biomaterials were being used for human repair. For example, bone implants used by orthopedic surgeons were being fabricated from low-corrosion steels and other alloys or from ultrahigh-density polyethylene. Methacrylate fibers were being woven into fabrics that could function as artificial blood vessels. During the early period of this feeld, cellulose based membranes were being introduced in kidney dialysis machines. Therefore, biomaterials research was mostly centered on in vitro tsting of these materials under conditions that simulated the biological environment (e. g., corrosion, fatigue,, creep, wear).Extensive histological work ensued following the implantation of these materials into experimental animals in order to understand the biological reponse elicited by materials in various tissues, with scant research done to explore the use of alternative materials for similar applications. Therefore, the field focused on the application fo materias science principles to materials in biomedical use. With only very few xepceptions, biomaterials were synthetic and intended to be permanent implants athat substituted for structure and/or functionin diseased or trumatized tissues. Biomaterials research was mostly in the hands of engineers, physical scientists, pathologists, and clinicians who brought theirskills to these new applications of technological materiasls.