Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices

I. Biological Engineering Application or Tool - MechaVita

My idea is to create a pseudo living robot in a sense. Living cells (in an organism) will be programmed by humans. The living cells will be provided mechanical exoskeletons to survive in unfavourable conditions. These cells will be able to perform their assigned functions (a specific purpose with which they are created). They will function like living organisms with metabolic processes but utilise mechanical enhancements to aid their purpose.

One example could be advanced prosthetics. In the case of limb replacemnts, these cells would be programmed to input neural signals from nerves and nutrients from blood vessels (as detailed or as superficially as necessary) and function how the original limb would. The mechnical parts provide the rigidity and the strength the cells will need to actually fulfil their role. Another use could be tasks with threat to human life. In fields like space exploration, mining, marine exploration, etc. where there is a huge and unyielding risk of losing human life, these living robots could fill in. They would also be able to establish safe routes, set new heights (or depths) to our knowledge of the unknowns, and help decide whether specific locations would be safe enough for humans.

With enough advancements in LLMs, these could evolve into cyborgs, though that is for the future. At the moment, I think the cell-machine interface would be highly beneficial, where the cell thinks (as it is programmed to) and the machine parts help it perform tasks, which humans would normally require lots of resources to achieve.

II. Contribution to An Ethical Future

The more massive the problem, the more we will be willing to sacrifice our standards of “do no harm” in favour of the “greater good”. - From What Ethics for Bioart? by Nora S Vaage

WHO statistics from 2017 state that approximately 35-40 million people worldwide are in need of prosthetics or othotic services. It is safe to assume the need has only increased from then. A subset of these people would be largely benefitted from the fully functioning pseudo living limbs. The living robotic limbs would allow the users to actively participate in society as healthy individuals.

Usually more than hundreds of deaths are reported annually worldwide, not taking into account the deaths caused dude to illegal mining. These activities endangering human lives would become completely safe, as the living robots could perform these dangerous tasks in their stead. As for job security, the robots will possibly require supervision yet no human will have to stake their lives.

In essence, the idea aims to improve quality of life for the differently abled, reduce fatality in fields deemed too dangerous for humans, or where guaranteed loss of life takes place year after year. They perform a crucial role in risk management.

• Biosecurity Concerns 🔒

There is concern over biosecurity with this project as there is always potential malfunction that can occur in these living robots. It is important to create technology that will be able to detect anomalies and effectively deal with it too. Hence, the research in the field of detecting and tackling malfunctions will also have to be increased.

• Equity Concerns 📊

A critical part of this project’s purpose is related to advanced prosthetics. Therefore, it helps improve equity and accessibility among the differently-abled. It additionally helps improve the quality of life.

• Environmental Concerns 🌏

Utilizing metabolic systems like living organisms, the living robots help mitigate the need for conventional sources of energy. Yes, they need other matters for sustenance but do not negatively impact the environment in any way.

III. Governance Actions

1. Purpose

I believe this is a solution to a problem that is not often discussed enough. With this approach, many huamn lives can be saved and/or improved. The radical development will have its hurdles but when achieved, it has immense benefit to humanity and can be developed for more advanced purposes too.

2. Design

The project requires valuable input from computer engineers, biomedical engineers, neuroscientists, and extensive research in the field and with regards to feasibilty and scalabity. Additionaly, funding from the governtment would be the optimal option. The project aims to improve human lives (sharing a vision with governmnet seeking public welfare). Contributions from other NGOs working towards solving problems of accessibility with better prosthetics (or those with similar motives) will be invaluable to the project.

3. Assumptions

There are numerous assumptions made by me:

• The concept of living robots can actually be carried out.
• The project will be properly funded and developed in the way that I am imagining it to be.
• The security concerns can be mitigated and solved.
• The prosthetic version will not put an additional toll on the individual and will actually work as programmed.
• The version used for exploration and mining purposes will not be misused as a guinea pig, since there is no human life risk involved anymore.
• The concept of living robots will be accepted by the larger community and concerns over the loss of life of the living robots is overriden by the concerns over loss of human life.
• The complex cell systems, organs, organ systems, etc. can actually be accurately engineered and programmed. Hopefully, these can be resolved by CrispR and complex 3-D modelling.
• The living cells can actually survive under the mechanical exoskeleton.

4. Risk of Failure & “Success”

From my perspective, there is a low margin of failure in developing the technology required. However, the idea of unyielding funding till the final project can be made is optimistic at best. Other potential failures would only be in the process of research. Post the success, the only foreseeable risk is malfunctions and I believe these can be easily detected and prevented.

IV. Rubric

V. Prioritising Governance

The governance option with greatest priority would be any international or national government body (health organization) since, this project helps a large part of the general public. It affects and positively impact a significant population and hence, I think it deserves funding as part of healthcare and public welfare. Another potential investor could be space agencies and/or mining corporations as the project would aid in exploring new limits in their respective fields as well. I considered the trade-offs over employment concerns, and I sincerely believe, humans should still not risk their lives for their profression. Not to mention, the living robot would only perform primitive tasks and cannot match an intelligent human. Another assumption is that the extensive data and code can be embedded in the programmed cells to achieve the required results. There are uncertainties like this but if completed, the service as a result of research and development of these living robots will exceed the minor inconveniences.