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