How do you stop at good when you can do better?
Yesterday, scientists have finally got to sit in front of the cameras at P.B. Obama’s ‘white crib’ in a moment portrayed by media as of historical importance. Stem cells research funding was given a go ahead by the President. Made for a pretty picture that i am sure they’ll keep on their desks for quite some time.
First i would like to say I agree with this research in principle. I think the possibilities to improve lives are there in this research and anything that makes life better should be explored. I am worried about human nature though. The proverb “curiosity killed the cat” comes to mind a lot.
I was talking last night with a friend about it and interesting thoughts appeared. Imagine you are the smartest scientist in the field. Assume the research is 20 years in the future. When it comes to making hard choices, what would you choose to do?
Rebuilding kidneys, hearts, spines or parts of them is really not as cool as increasing your own neurons numbers to make you smarter, faster, etc. I mean, the potential of this technology is immense. I can think of possibilities that range from the pervert to the supernatural, from physical perfection to adding extra utilities. Imaging breathing underwater. How cool would that be? So would you be able to stay away from these possibilities and keep to kidneys and hearts? I don’t think so.
Imagine the economic potential of this thing. How difficult would it be to sell this technology? People pay big for nose jobs, imagine the cues for extra brainpower. Maslow would have to rethink his pyramid entirely. I am scared to imagine what this could mean to us. I think we’d have to forget the BC (before christ), AD (anno domini) etc. and say BS (before stemcells) and AS (after …). It makes me think about the people behind the ones in this picture, behind Obama and these scientists. The one’s that aren’t there. I am pretty sure they are the investor types.
So if you are smart, start saving money. Make a wish list and wait a few decades. I’d go for: regeneration, breathing underwater and maybe a few more neurons to compensate the ones i kill during the nights i drink too much.
Sad, sad days those would be. It is a question of human evolution and we’d better start thinking of what we wish for. I wish we’d put as much energy in exploring our minds and souls. I see no danger there.
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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This is a great step forward, indeed. Yes, there are red flags of our own vanity and ignorance in using our discoveries as humanity, but we can reach the consciousness needed to use stem cells and other technology wiser.
Look at the big cloning scare a few years ago, what ever happened with that? Besides several mad scientists hidden that we know nothing about, the whole cloning scare transformed into better research, leading to… stem cells.
I am sad though that Obama takes one step forward and another back. Yay! to science and nay! to productivity, by facilitating unions. I cringe at the thought of an entire nation replacing the obsession with consumption with that of job security, and willingly reducing themselves to the lowest common denominator.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/31/obama-supports-union-organizing/
By the way, do you really think bigger brains will be the hottest desire of tomorrow? IQ does not bring EQ, SQ or any other intelligence. Brains don’t always grow wisdom, or hearts. From this point of view I completely agree, the exploration of inner selves is essential. However, not excluding technology, or the rest of our world, regardless of dangers. We are, after all, the product of all our actions and discoveries that brought us to this point. Our souls included.
If we would only explore things without danger, we would have never touched the fire or stepped out of the cave.
(I hope you don’t mind me expressing.)
:) bigger brain doesn’t mean just higher IQ. everything you do is powered by the brain. even your EQ, SQ, etc. I’m thinking of reading and memorizing a book in 20 minutes. I’m thinking of learning a new language in 7 days. things like this :)
I don’t mind you expressing yourself at all. i like it when people express their opinions on my blog.