Would it ever be possible to make a machine that could shrink people??

Question: Would it ever be possible to make a machine that could shrink people??

Asked by monkey10 to Laura, Lily, Mark, Paul, Sarah on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: General.
- Lily Asquith answered on 22 Jun 2010:
  
  yes but the people would die
- Sarah Bardsley answered on 22 Jun 2010:
  
  You mean like ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’!? Hmmm. I think it’s unlikely.
- Mark Roberts answered on 22 Jun 2010:
  
  Erm from what I know about physics – whilst this would be cool I don’t think it’s possible – at least not keeping them alive!
- Paul Roche answered on 23 Jun 2010:
  
  I don’t think so – what would you do with all the atoms that you’d have to compress or remove? If you compress an object or person, it becomes a lot denser, which may not be good for our bodies (organs etc.) – if you remove atoms and molecules and scale something down that way, you have to dispose of the “spare” material somewhere, and presumably then couldn’t put it all back together again!
  
  Not a good idea!

Question: Would it ever be possible to make a machine that could shrink people??