It was my first session (Project Immortality: Ethical Enquiry) at the NASSCOM-DSCI Annual Information Security Summit 2017. Running frightfully late, I was a bit apprehensive about entering the session but the topic got me drawn. For a cold December morning, the delegates seemed very chirpy and were held in thrall by the speakers from DSCI. As I settled down, I realized, some incredible ideas were being traded in rapid succession, and why not? Though unbeknownst to many, scientific breakthroughs have never been quite as radical, and threatening to render us more God-like in a not-so-distant future. Uncertainty does bring in a tinge of romanticism even as mankind grapples with speed and the complexity of it all.
After a few brief minutes of lingering and vigorous nodding – an exaggerated act on my part in an attempt to discount my delayed entry – I got the drift. Can human lifespan be increased significantly with the aid of technology? Especially diseases like Alzheimer – are the cures finally within reach? Those of us who have experienced its ravages from close quarters would know what a great miracle it would be for the entire human race. They further explained the three ways in which immortality can be achieved: Biological Engineering, Cyborg Engineering & Engineering of non-organic beings. Biological Engineering is not a new idea and can claim as one of the longest-running genetics experiment. We have seen images of designer babies (particularly in the animal kingdom) that marks a departure from normal.
The ‘conversation’ soon veered towards Cyborg Engineering and its many facets. Most interestingly, the result of merging organic bodies with non-organic ones was brought to the fore. It was spectacular to say the least. Imagine DARPA’s cyborg beetle being used for military purposes. A non-organic mechanism is placed around a living tissue. As the bug grows in size, complete control may be hindered. To counter that effect, scientists have embedded the device right at the larvae stage, in the subsequent years. An extremely effective surveillance “device”, when you come to think of it.
The speakers took us through many more incredible examples which left us in no doubt whatsoever that humans were a step closer to becoming God-like and advancing at a very rapid pace. The speakers quite expertly, injected the spirit of scientific thinking and helped us open our minds to a foreseeable future, which at times stretched boundaries and ensnared us in ethical dilemma. Can we transplant some of the higher attributes of other living organisms into humans to make them more powerful? For instance, the hearing ability of bats, if it can be transposed in humans aided by technology. In the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup, a paralytic patient was able to kick the ball aided by Brain Computer Mapping. It got us all to think that someday soon enough many others afflicted, may walk again.
The Blade Runner’s (Oscar Pistorious) exploits in Track & Field had grabbed headlines and captured popular imagination for a long time, till he faced grim reality. He was sentenced for culpable homicide, which decimated his career and persona. But that’s another story. During his time, critics said that he had an unfair advantage over competitors. The argument afforded was to do with his artificial limbs which were light and ergonomically designed, enabling a quicker movement in air. This is called Prosthetic Envy. Many people are now opting for prosthetics despite having normal function in the limbs. At one level it seems grotesque, but futurists think it’s a great way to counter old-age debilitation. Which brings us to the question – can human lives be extended?
Humans are perennially dissatisfied with their lives and will always push boundaries – sometimes raising deep ethical concerns. Can we go on routinely replacing organs in our quest to attain immortality? And at what point do we cease to be humans and be humanoids instead? Isn’t it playing with nature? And, is it desirable? While science does things for its own sake and is not necessarily deterred by end consequences, but for the average human these concerns loom large. For instance, nuclear power too has had unintended and cataclysmic consequences. The 2045 Avatar Project is yet another stark example of boundaries being pushed and raising ethical dilemmas, moving from a remotely controlled avatar to have a self-sustained hologram like Avatar by 2045.
The integration of biology with technology will catalyze the process of human evolution. Over a period of time (maybe in another 100 years, and if it is so, then we have some wiggle space) non-living organisms (like nano robots?) will replace living organisms till such time the human body is more robot-like. To pay a tribute to the bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari – is that the point in time when Homo sapiens become Homo Deus?