Swedish Defence Research Agency Miniaturization is one of the most powerful technology trends Nanotechnology is here providing new materials with new properties. And micro-system technology providing sensors small as grains of dust or antennas only one thousandth of a millimeter in size (for optical frequencies). Or components so small that they can connect on nontrivial fashion to the brain. Shaking hands/talking with the brains minutest parts. Sensors small as dust. Or components which can connect themselves to the nervous system. Miniaturization is a powerful technology trend. What can be done with a lot of money in U.S. laboratories is one thing. Another thing is what can be realized in the form of cheap everyday objects. The common-sense definition of Miniaturization is that a component or system has become smaller while performing at least as well. Or it could be something built out of very small parts resulting in a new or improved function. Another important concept in addition to nanotechnology, microsystems technology. The researchers are talking about components plugged into the nervous system that can talk to the brain. These components would help the soldier to extract his subconscious. The soldier sees more than he thinks. The small components would capture the information that would otherwise be missed. The boundary between technology and biology is blurred and biology and technology are converging. One can imagine solutions to change the body’s biological systems, such as modifying the biochemistry and compensate for the lack of sleep. Or to take control of the nervous system of an animal, thereby creating biological UAVs. (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Read article here The Human Brain ProjectBrain Probes: development of new nano, micro, genetic, optical, and electrical technologies making it possible to study an ever broader range of brain structures and functions in greater depth, and more rapidly than is currently possible. Ethical, legal and social issues: The HBP (The Human Brain Project) will raise important ethical, legal, social, political and philosophical issues both about the research itself and its potential applications. At the same time, its contributions to knowledge of the brain, cognition and behavior will have important philosophical and conceptual implications touching on basic concepts of what makes us human Against this background, the HBP will include a major program of activities dedicated to ethical, legal and social issues. The program will bring together scholars in the brain sciences, social sciences, and the humani ties to study and discuss relevant issues and will use all available channels to en courage open, well-informed debate, to dissipate potential public concerns and to enhance appreciation of the potential benefits of the project’s work. Read article here Ethical issues involved in hybrid bionicsystems research “What kind of privacy safeguards are needed if a machine can read your thoughts”? “Invasive research on humans could involve inhuman or degrading procedures” “Invasive research on humans could lead to new torture or inhumane punishment techniques” Will cognition enhancers exacerbate differences between rich and poor? Or, instead, will they relegate social diversity to the status of historical artifact? What happens if we deduce through neuroimagingthe physiological basis for morality? Or, and by the way, what happens to free will?” (Scientific American (Editorial), September 2003) Autonomous behavior of robots: what degree of autonomy should we give to the robot…if uncontrolled robot actions can be dangerous to humans (assistance robotics) If we wish to deal with cases when the user’s will is “ethically”unacceptable (robots used for military purposes) Are Asimov’s Laws adequate? Is realistically threatening the possibility of auto-replicating artificial entities? Ontological status of “cyborgs”and A.I. creatures: What is machine and what is human? Who may be re-programmed? Can we have dissidents in a world of replicants
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