| Advances in nanotechnology have proven | | | | a coordinated effort. Along with the |
| that incredible progress is not only | | | | imminent progression, however, we must |
| possible today and in the future, it is | | | | also be aware of the philosophical, |
| pretty well inevitable. Fantastic | | | | moral and ethical issues that will come |
| advances in nanotechnologic medical | | | | about as a result of biological change. |
| research have resulted in life saving | | | | In addition to the potential threat from |
| techniques that were unheard of even a | | | | the unleashed power of nanotechnology |
| decade ago. | | | | based scientific advancements, there is |
| Genetic engineering research and | | | | also the promise of an improved future |
| development provides a means of | | | | for mankind and the world in which he |
| revolutionizing agricultural output by | | | | dwells. The line of demarcation is thin |
| enhancing crop yields while encouraging | | | | and easily crossed and therefore great |
| a decrease in the necessity for | | | | care and planning must go hand in hand |
| pesticides. It also holds out a promise | | | | with technological advances. |
| of attaining newer, improved species of | | | | Naysayers are quick to point out the |
| plants and animals, the ability to | | | | many pitfalls of unbridled |
| someday replace or supplement | | | | nanotechnology, genetic engineering and |
| reproduction with cloning and the hope | | | | robotics research and implementation; |
| that cures will be developed for many | | | | however, to the chagrin of futurists, |
| fatal and debilitating diseases, which | | | | these non-progressive individuals fail |
| can only result in increased life spans | | | | to fully conceive of the many benefits |
| and improved quality of life. | | | | these scientific advancements can and |
| Robotic engineers firmly believe that | | | | will provide. Progressive thinkers are |
| development of a truly intelligent | | | | quick to embrace the very real |
| machine that is capable of performing | | | | possibility of incredibly low-cost solar |
| most tasks better than humans will be | | | | power, cures for debilitating disease |
| perfected within our lifetime. They | | | | via intensification of the human immune |
| envision a time when a highly organized | | | | system, the ability to clean up our |
| system of machines will perform all | | | | environment and the overall improvement |
| tasks with little or no human input. | | | | of human existence that is not only |
| It is not hard to imagine the | | | | possible but entirely plausible in the |
| revolutionary advancements that are | | | | very near future because of |
| possible if nanotechnology, genetic | | | | nanotechnology, genetic engineering and |
| engineering and robotics combine their | | | | robotics. |
| expertise in future technological | | | | So, are nanotechnology, genetic |
| advancements. Either the result will be | | | | engineering and robotics to be feared as |
| a utopian world free of disease or | | | | an impending doomsday event or should |
| pestilence or a jumbled chaos of grey | | | | they be embraced as miracles of the |
| goo and confusion. | | | | future? Only by carefully reviewing the |
| Regardless of the outcome, it is | | | | past while embracing the future will we |
| inevitable that the future holds | | | | be able to tell. After all, if we are |
| profound changes because of | | | | willing to build an artificial brain, we |
| nanotechnology, genetic engineering and | | | | must be willing to construct one that is |
| robotics, whether the accomplishments | | | | able to see what we cannot. |
| are made on their own or as a result of | | | | |