Does a biomonitor extract DNA information from the tissue samples? I see no mention of DNA in the SR3 description. It only states, "It can even alanlyze blood, sweat and skin samples." If not, what does it alalyze? Will it tell me what kind of creature the sample is from? I can safely assume it can determine poison levels in the tissue, blood type, water content, ect, if not anything else.

I think a Biomonitor able to do roughly whatever a basic hospital can do modern-day. A lot of the larger centers can, of course, do some minor DNA work, but that's a specialized thing.

That's a good call. I doesn't require the GM to extrapolate future technologies, but it's "high-tech" enough to justify being that small.

Maybe it can PCR (or some equivalent) to see if the patient has common genetic defects?

Well SOTA 2063 has a brand new gizmo that can analyse DNA samples in a couple of minutes and that's talked of as a great leap forward. Besides, I figure that DNA would a bit to technical for it. And anyway, if you get to that stage you're past the biomonitor stage and need a medical facility.

My general impression is the biomonitor does basic monitoring of the host's biological processes. Temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and so on.

I would say it also does scans and analysis of basic injuries like trauma, wounds and so on. 5 biotech dice is pretty hefty.

If a chemical analysis database is added, it might even be able to identify chemical compounds discovered in the bloodstream.

Most of this is strictly IMHO -- since the description is fairly limited. Unless we use the description from CP 2020.

-Siege

Hmm, I'd assume it would cover: Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, core body temperature, extremity body temperature, blood sugar level (for diabetics), blood O2 level (for divers), 'wakefulness level' (for prying bosses), blood loss by area (by monitoring blood pressure over area), liver and kidney function, white blood cell count (implies infection), 'pain levels' (by monitoring either nerves, or tracking endorphin release)... anything else anyone can think of?

Probably the presence of several common toxins, such as alcohol and some of the more common polutants, cholesterol levels and various hormonal balances. DNA mapping is far more complicated, requires a dedicated computer (even though by 2060 this computer won't be too large) and specialized systems (again, depends on method, and could be miniaturized - but that would be too costly and job-specific for a standard-issue biomonitor).

Speaking about computerized DNA tests, how large would a complete gene map be in terms of MP? IIRC, the entire DNA length in a single Human cell has anout 1.5 gigabytes in "raw" data, but most of it is "junk" DNA and you'll also need to list if each gene is active or not for a truely complete map.

Ok, to further round out the biomonitor information:

It can:

Monitor bodily functions. (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)
Provide feedback on injuries to the body.

Upgrades:
Chem analyzer: monitor level and type of toxins in bloodstream
Cyberware: monitor cyber systems on a basic level, including functionality
Bioware: monitor bioware performance

Optional:
Transmit commands based on body changes to a third-party system: communications system or autoinjector, for example

Opinions? Additions? Commentary?

And do we assume the external version functions in the same way?

-Siege

New cyberware:

IV port
.1 essence, 1,000 nuyen

A metal port located either in the forearm or the inner thigh designed to allow fast access to a patient's bloodstream.

This is a popular feature for people who must receive frequent injections or require an IV bag for various treatments.

The tech is also popular for external autoinjectors and external biomonitors that still require access to the blood stream.

(Visual: Neo's plug in "Matrix", the samurai on "Street Samurai Catalog")

-Siege