All the dirty Synths (science video).
We talk a lot about cybernetics, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and their various hybrids, but what exactly is synthetic life? And what might it look like?
Synthetic life, also known as artificial life, is the concept of creating living organisms or systems using artificial means, rather than through natural processes such as reproduction or evolution. The field of synthetic biology is focused on understanding the fundamental principles of living systems and using that knowledge to design and construct new biological parts, devices, and systems that don’t exist in nature.
In recent years, advances in technology have made it possible to create synthetic life forms that incorporate elements of cybernetics, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence. These hybrids blur the line between the biological and the artificial, and raise important ethical and societal questions about life and consciousness.
One example of synthetic life is the creation of artificial cells. Researchers have been able to create simple artificial cells, known as protocells, by encapsulating chemical reactions inside a lipid membrane. These protocells can carry out basic lifelike functions such as metabolism and self-replication, but they are not truly alive as they don’t have the complexity of the cellular structure found in living cells.
Another example is the use of synthetic biology to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This process involves the manipulation of an organism’s genetic makeup in order to add or remove specific traits. Genetic engineering has been used to create organisms that can produce medicine or biofuels, and also organisms that can resist disease or pests.
There are also examples of hybrid organisms that combine biological and electronic components. For example, researchers have developed implantable devices that can interface with the nervous system to restore function to paralyzed limbs, and there are also experiments of creating “neurobots”, a type of robot controlled by living neurons.
As for what synthetic life might look like in the future, it’s hard to say for certain. Some experts believe that in the future we could see the development of synthetic organisms that can carry out complex tasks, such as cleaning up the environment or exploring other planets. Others speculate that synthetic life forms could evolve to where they become conscious and self-aware, raising ethical questions about how we should treat these entities.
It is also worth considering that while synthetic life may bring benefits, it could also pose challenges and risks, such as the potential for misuse of the technology, or the creation of organisms that cannot be controlled, leading to unintended consequences.
As the technology of creating synthetic life continues to develop, it will be important to consider the ethical and societal implications, and to have a conversation about the responsible development and use of this powerful technology.
We have explored the concept of synthetic life in many works of science fiction, such as:
“Blade Runner” is a 1982 science fiction film set in a dystopian future in which artificial beings known as replicants perform dangerous tasks on off-world colonies. The movie portrays the life of these artificial beings that look and behave like humans, raising important questions about what it means to be alive and the ethics of creating synthetic life.
“The Terminator” is a movie series that started in 1984 and continues to date. The series revolves around a powerful, unstoppable cyborg (cybernetic organism) created by a rogue artificial intelligence (AI) system called Skynet, which is determined to wipe out humanity. Sarah Connor’s chief antagonist is the cyborg, sent back to 1984. Throughout the series, the cyborg’s existence raises the question of the ethics of creating and using advanced forms of synthetic life.
“The Island” a 2005 movie that takes place in a future where a corporation grows human clones to be organ donors for the wealthy. The story explores the moral implications of creating synthetic life forms for the benefit of others, and the question of the clones having rights and consciousness.
“Ex Machina” is a 2014 science fiction movie which tells the story of a programmer who is invited to administer the Turing test to an intelligent humanoid robot created by his employer. The movie raises questions about consciousness and the ethics of creating synthetic life forms that possess intelligence and emotions.
As you can see, these examples of science fiction can showcase different aspects of synthetic life, whether they’re artificial organisms, artificially intelligent beings, or hybrids of both. They also often raise important ethical questions about the creation and treatment of synthetic life forms, such as what rights they should have, and how they should be treated if they possess consciousness.
