According to Donna Haraway, a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid machine, an organism, or a creature of both reality and fiction. Human beings can be termed cyborgs when computers are in a way connected to their bodies and can be said to be part of them. It is possible to have computer-generated voices like in the case of Stephen Hawkins the famous scientist cum author who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease. The first cyborgs to be tested were not human and were used by astronomers. This development was advanced to benefit human beings. The scope expanded to include life support systems communication and mission design.
Scientific development has resulted in the emergence of human cyborgs it has become possible to create people who are part human and part machines. The use of pacemakers or people who survive with respirators is a common example of how people in today’s world are living with in-built equipment. Technology today helps many people who could have otherwise died or subjected to harsh experiences due to their health conditions.
Although robots, artificial intelligence were in the past fictions, today they are becoming a reality. Life will go a mile away from being human to ‘beyond human’. It might not be a wonder that robots will be performing delicate duties like human beings for instance fire fighting, rescue mission, surgery, and other risky tasks. (Benford and Malartre 168). Cyborgs are increasing and additions to human beings are becoming a normal activity. Joints are today rebuilt and elbows and hearts modified. These developments could progress from mere repair and augmentation of the human body parts to making people better in various areas. People might want to perform better in sports or want to prolong their lives by exploiting this scientific development. (Benford and Malartre 172).
The interaction between human beings and technology has advanced and become very complex. Pacemakers and fabricated heart values are important discoveries in the medical field. Other examples of mechanical additions to a man that make him a more effective person include the use of spectacles that improves man’s vision and imposed teeth that improves his ability to chew. (Jordan 32)
Further development in cyborgs would be to create a person who has faster reflexes, more accurate, more resistant to fatigue. The military for instance would like to create the ‘super soldier’ who has better skills or potential to combat crime in the face of the challenges at hand. Creating such human beings would require a combination of biochemicals, bioelectronics, and DNA manipulation. The resultant effect would be disastrous, as it would not occur that an inferior being can control such ‘superior’ beings, and consequently, the creation of such beings would intensify. Creators of such cyborgs have the ability and knowledge to control them. They could also be relied on to repair, recharge and maintain the cyborgs. Their designers would therefore have their absolute control and can use them for undesirable roles.
This technology faces much criticism from those who see it as a potential health hazard considering what other technologies like breast implants and steroids have had on man. The implementation of the use of ‘skill chips’ to improve the human brain is also criticized. There are worries that this would lead to the inability of the human nervous system to regenerate causing adverse health effects to human beings.
Some criticism about this technology is based on the mere superstition that some people have towards computers and other electronic technology. Such criticism will only hinder effective research that can be exploited to help advance on the areas that are beneficial to man. Effective research would provide the accurate effects of such developments and appropriate measures taken.
After a technology emerges it is difficult to sit on it, on the contrary, it paves way for more and more improvement. Even if a ban was to be imposed on a scientific invention little can be done to bury it. This is because some people have the idea that it existed and will work towards its improvement. Therefore wishing this scientific development away is an understatement. Again, people are innovative and quick to adapt to new technologies. They will be more willing to consume ‘smart drugs’ to enhance their intelligence or even to boost their general well-being. If electronic technology is to provide similar results they will be more than willing to offer themselves.
Religious organizations or bodies oppose this technology probably due to the fact that they believe in the creation theory and the sacredness of the human body. In undertaking their research to establish the negative effects or consequences of these scientific developments their views should be incorporated.
To reduce unnecessary criticism on cyborgs, it is appropriate to promote effective public awareness so that people have more knowledge about scientific development. Scientists specializing in cybernetics work tirelessly to ensure that as many benefits as possible are derived from the development. It can be exploited both for medical purposes as well as commercial purposes.
Professor Warwick undertook two experiments where he established that the microchip implants could transmit data to the computer. (www.synopsys.com). This is an important realization that paves way for a new era of biosensor devices. It is possible to harness technology and provide a means by which the physically challenged or impaired can gain from cybernetics and their quality of life improved for the better. It’s believed that microchip transplants can provide the means for such people to regain the use of their limbs. Disabled people can lead normal lives where they can control temperatures, operate electric wheels chair and control their surroundings. Cybernetics is focused on establishing how human beings can make their lives better by utilizing technology. (www.synopsys.com).
An experiment was also done where a silicon chip was inserted into the firearm. A miniaturized radiofrequency was also installed. The experiment proved that it was possible to operate devices like computers, doors, and lights. It is also possible to use the ‘guardian chip’ to monitor or protect vulnerable members in the family for instance the elderly and children. (www.synopsys.com).
The use of silicon chips can be used for identification purposes. It can provide a permanent form of identification that can be modified to consist of all the relevant information, which could be on medical history, national identity, and general personal information. Such data can be easily located with the use of the Internet. With the rise of terrorism and immigration fraud, this can be an effective way of curbing such acts.
Again it is beneficial in prohibiting fraudulent means of accessing banking and credit cards access. Physical presence can be ensured through this process. Integrating the use of microchips with retina scanners would boost the security levels by and large. This could also be used on other goods or items like cars so that accessibility and usage are controlled. Tracking and monitoring devices can be exploited for commercial purposes. (www.synopsys.com). Another important experiment established that although the implants could cause mechanical strains they have no adverse effects on the body. On the contrary, the body can adapt to them effectively.
Sexual relationships are changing with some believing in cyborg’s arms. Such people have a sex life that is solely related to computers. (www.selfhelpmagazine.com). Through AOL, people can enjoy cyber and telephone sex although no physical involvement takes place. Sexual activities with partners are conducted online. These can be a source of major concern on how cyborgs technology influences human beings.
A contradiction of moral values can occur as some people can have ‘casual sex’ with as numerous partners as possible but in the real world, they become careful. The lives of those people who rely on ‘cyborg sex’ are changed and they are tied to their computers and the telecommunication providers. This could lead to the alienation that can make man and technology inseparable. It can enslave them. This technology is accused of having costs to the society in the sense that it is responsible for draining traditional morals values and norms replacing them with new and mixed or confusing values. Infidelity in relationships has increased in what was previously surrounded by much commitment and loyalty. (www.selfhelpmagazine.com).
One advantage of using or replacing house keys with radio frequency chips is that one can access their car or house even when the key is lost. It also enables people to log in to their computers without using a password.
This scientific technology can help people with hearing impairment through the implantation of cochlear. The cochlear is placed behind the eardrum, filled with fluid and hair-like structures that can turn sound waves into electrical impulses that are then sent into the brain for processing. (www.healthyhearing.com). Paralyzed people might regain their strength again and be able to if modern bionic research continues. Another advantage of this scientific technology is that it can help reduce conflicts in society. The use of machines has provided an effective way of maintaining accountability across the globe. Exploiting this scientific development further would increase efficiency and conflicts would be minimal.
Concerns can be raised as to whether a person with an artificial is a human being. Those who have such implantation could worry about the actual effects of the implants. Since the chips are like a computer for instance in the cases of cochlear implants it would determine what these people hear. In other words, technology will take control of human beings.
This scientific technology can be viewed as a technique that changes man by neutralizing his humane characters. A person with an artificial heart may act differently than one with the natural one. It is not just the modification of man but also a creation of a new being altogether. Concerns are that cyborgs may eventually overpower the human beings who created them. Robots can have inefficiencies especially because they have inherent brain inadequacies and so they may not operate as the perfect human ‘beings’ intended. The brain is important in discovery analysis and devising new concepts that can be tested. People worry about what would happen if their intelligence rose beyond human beings and they could no longer be under their control.
Although the cyborg machines could have superiority in terms of incorruptibility and skills they are still inferior to man. They do not fulfill the spiritual or psychological requirements but only the instrumental needs of humanity. The mortality levels instilled in such created cyborgs would be subject to human beings and complete cyborgs may lack ethical values. The machines are criticized for lacking consciousness.
Over-reliance on cyborgs and robotic hyperreality could lead to a situation where morality is based on the physical mind, its rationality, and technological ‘expressions’. This poses a risk to society as the aspect of humanity that differentiates what is right from what is wrong is affected. In becoming cyborgs human beings could become like robots. Critics argue that artificial inducement would result in some transformation of human beings who deviate from the human natural innate capacity into a void that is full of conceptions.
Hughes argues that although man can exploit this scientific development, his life is not solely improved. The creation of ‘super humans’ does not solve all the problems that man has and actually, it may aggravate them. (Hughes 250). For instance, it may bring more problems to man’s health and weaken his cultural and political system. This brings about the need to draw a line between the types of mechanical additions to be applied and how they should be regulated. Here, one can establish which technology to be mandatory, voluntary, or that, which should be completely forbidden. It is important to identify the limits as to how far cyborgs can get.
A cost-benefit analysis is therefore critical, as it will help identify the need for such development. Questions to be answered here include why is this addition necessary, is a man better with its application or does he remain neutral or worse off, or what are the risks involved? The use of externally programmed pacemakers and hearing aids should continue as it provides more benefits to an individual as well as the society at large. The merge between humans and technology should be geared towards improving man by minimizing the harsh experiences or difficulties that certain health conditions may lead man into.
The use of cyborgs is important to people with amputations and bionic arms should be encouraged. To reduce the adverse effects of bone cancer they can also be used to help the young lives that are mostly affected. The use of artificial silicon retina is also important in ensuring people’s sight problems are well dealt with. As long as the benefits surpass the risks involved then human cyborgs should be encouraged. Society is comprised of various integrated parts all of which play an important part. Care must therefore be taken not to outweigh one aspect at the expense of the other. We should not create a society that singularity of technology. Again since most of these procedures are expensive and sponsored by governments it very important that priorities are ranked and well responded to.
Works Cited
Gregory Benford and Elisabeth Malartre. Beyond Human: Living with Robots and Cyborgs. Tom Doherty Associates. 2007. P 168.
Michael Chorost: Cyborg. 2007. Web.
Kevin Warwick. 2003. Are Chip Implants Getting Under Your Skin? Web.
Marlene Maheu. The future of cyber-sex and relationship fidelity: Cyborg Theory. Web.
Tim Jordan. Cyber power: The Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet Routledge publishers. 1999. P 32.
James Hughes. Why Democratic Societies Must Respond to the Redesigned Technology. Westview Press. 2004. P 250.