Phillipa Taylor discusses where the advancements in the human cyborg world are taking us. She starts out giving the reader a picture of a world where robotics is a huge part of the world (ie doors opening and lights turning on when going into a room, operating a wheelchair with neural signals).
She goes on to discuss Professor Kevin Warwick from Reading University who has been experimenting and pioneering devices of the “cyborg” nature since 1998. He experiments on himself with his devices to see how electronic stimulation of the human brain can alter behavior. He implanted a tiny electronic implant in his arm to experiment on himself. He hopes to work with patients who have lost limbs and help them gain control of artificial limbs through neural signals. In other words help them gain control through thinking about what they are trying to do. Warwick works closely with the National Spinal Injuries Center to help people with spinal injuries. According to Warwick thousands of patients in the U.K. with Parkinson’s are already benefitting from implants.
Taylor goes on to discuss Warwick’s aim with his research which he presented at the Center for Bioethics and Public Policy’s conference, “Brave New Britain: New Technologies and the Future of Human Nature” in November 2005. He has two plans with his research. First, is to advance the treatment technologies, and the technology that is used for therapeutic use more specifically those with disabilities like spinal injuries. His second plan is to improve technology that is used to enhance or “upgrade” humans.
Taylor then discusses Warwick’s ideas about computers and the networking capabilities. Taylor poses the questions, “Is it possible to link the brain and computer?”, and “If it is, what does it mean if my brain is linked to your brain?” According to Warwick we do have the technology to link our brains. However Warwick poses the eerie question that if we are all linked together then “I” sort of becomes “We” and does that mean “I” am still human. He also asks how “human” we would be if we were linked to computers. We would almost be machines.
Taylor asks the question that with Warwick’s research in mind should he be aloud to continue? She concedes that it is bringing benefits to different types of therapy. Warwick believes that in eight to ten years we will see brain implants and “direct communication by thought.” Taylor offers some insight in the last part of the article. She believes that a line must be drawn when human nature comes under threat from this technology (human nature meaning the things that make us human biologically, psychosocially). Taylor contends that the lines between humane technological interventions and inhumane must be determined.
