by SkyWatch Editor
o
OpEd-PARIS —
Half-animal, half-human? The astounding developments in nanotechnology,
biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (NBIC) are
posing problems that we thought only existed in science fiction.
Recent studies have brought us closer to
Planet of the Apes, written by French novelist Pierre Boulle in 1963. In three experiments, the last one of which was published in
Current Biology last
month, scientists have improved the intellectual capacities of mice by
modifying their DNA sequences with segments of human chromosomes or by
injecting them with human brain
glial cells.
These
modified animals have bigger brains and can perform difficult tasks
more quickly. The DNA sequences that were successfully modified are
involved in language and brain size in humans. This comes after a study
on successful genetic modifications on two small monkeys was published
in
Nature in March of last year. Meaning that the success of cognitive improvement of mice will soon be verified in monkeys.
These manipulations were achieved with
DNA-modifying
enzymes. For about $12, a biology student these days can create these
enzymes and conduct genetic engineering, making it incredibly cheap to
create animal-man chimeras. Decade after decade, new findings and
experiments will have breathtaking consequences.
How will we prevent some animal lovers from ordering a more
intelligent, more emphatic, more "human" dog? There will always be room
for indulgence in relation to cognitive enhancement of animals. Society
will be presented with a
fait accompli, as it is now with same-sex couples buying children from surrogate mothers in foreign countries.
Read the rest of this article at - http://www.worldcrunch.com/opinion-analysis/genetic-engineering-humankind-creeps-toward-a-039-planet-of-the-apes-039-/artificial-intelligence-genetic-engineering-animal-rights-robots-iq/c7s18255/#.VSe7hNysVRx%23ixzz3WuIrxFrV
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Comments 0