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Volume 4, Issue 2
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Recombinant DNA and Self-replicating Molecular Manufacturing: Parallels and Lessons James B. Lewis, Ph.D Page 6 of 6 Among the few proposals that address this problem, my favorite was made by Eric Drexler in 1986 [1]:"...distributing ownership of the resources of space (genuine, permanent, transferable ownership) equally among all people — but doing so only once, then letting people provide for their progeny (or others') from their own vast share of the wealth of space. This will allow different groups to pursue different futures, and it will reward the frugal rather than the profligate. It can provide the foundation for a future of unlimited diversity for the indefinite future, if active shields are used to protect people from aggression and theft. No one has yet voiced a plausible alternative." However, the date suggested by Drexler for doing this distribution (April 12, 2011) is far too imminent for any such agreement to be in place by then. If we are to improve upon the results of Asilomar and prepare in advance for the issues that are associated with a technology that does not yet exist—self-replicating nanotechnology—then we first have to prepare the ground for discussing and resolving the most fundamental and pressing issues that will arise with respect to that technology (which probably do not include “gray goo”). The lessons of Asilomar suggest that serious discussion of those issues will not occur until there is a consensus that the technology at issue, if not already existing, is at least very likely to develop soon. Therefore, we can expect that “reconciling conflicts, apprehensions, and scientific ambitions regarding self-replicating nanotechnology” will be a long, drawn-out process stretching through the decades until the imminent advent of the technology becomes obvious—perhaps paralleling the efforts to get society to come to grips with the effects of human activities upon climate change. What might advance such a reconciliation?
The above suggestions are made in the belief that the more people who can be convinced that a goal is worthwhile and doable, the more people will work to uncover and solve the whole spectrum of problems that could be associated with the goal, and thus the more likely that the outcome will be both successful and ethical. [1] http://e-drexler.com/d/06/html#Ch_15 [2] "Protein design revolution points toward advanced nanotechnology," posted by Jim Lewis on April 9th, 2009 http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=3007 [3] See http://metamodern.com/2008/11/10/modular-molecular-composite-nanosystems/ and http://www.foresight.org/roadmaps/index.html [4] See, for example, the RepRap project started in 2004 by Adrian Bowyer. http://www.reprap.org/ "RepRap is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. It is the practical self-copying 3D printer shown on the right - a self-replicating machine. This 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastic." Bio
James B. Lewis, Ph.D.
Dr. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in the field of biochemistry from Harvard University. His interests include the convergence of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, information science, and cognitive science. Fascinated by current and advanced nanotechnologies, Dr. Lewis applies his knowledge to the writing and editing of works associated with nanotechnologies in hopes of solving the world’s most pressing human problems.
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Terasem Mission Educate the public on the practicality and necessity of greatly extending human life, consistent with diversity and unity, via geoethical nanotechnology and personal cyberconsciousness, concentrating in particular on facilitating revivals from biostasis.
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