Biotech + Art

Biotech + Art

Human creativity is limitless. From constructing massive pyramids before modern technology, to developing the modern technology to launch rockets into space, humans have proven that we are capable of whatever we set our minds to. In an age of biotechnology, where life itself has become the expressive medium for experimentation and manipulation, we must consider whether or not there should be limits to human creativity. What are the ethical boundaries? In an exploration of life as an art form, Ellen K. Levy contemplates how the production of cyborgs adds to this conversation.

Illustration of Brain-machine Interface

 Is it ethical to modify an individual's consciousness by the merging of the human body and machine? This called to mind the ethics and responsibility in the development of Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

                       

                       Neurochip                                                      N1 Implant

With the power to enhance or restore human capabilities, this advancement in biotechnology has the potential to cure various brain and nervous system disorders. However, considering its direct impact on human life, the supposedly well-intentioned brain-computer interface also has the power to cause significant damage. Issues of individual privacy and autonomy arise with the potential for corporations, governments, and hackers to exploit this technology for profit and power. 



Works Cited

Fiani, Brian et al. “An Examination of Prospective Uses and Future Directions of Neuralink: The 

Brain-Machine Interface.” Cureus vol. 13,3 e14192. 30 Mar. 2021, doi:10.7759/cureus.14192

Kostick-Quenet, Kristin et al. “Researchers' Ethical Concerns About Using Adaptive Deep Brain 

Stimulation for Enhancement.” Frontiers in human neuroscience vol. 16 813922. 14 Apr. 2022, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.813922

Musk, Elon, and Neuralink. “An Integrated Brain-Machine Interface Platform With Thousands 

of Channels.” Journal of medical Internet research vol. 21,10 e16194. 31 Oct. 2019, doi:10.2196/16194

Valle, Giacomo. “The Connection Between the Nervous System and Machines: Commentary.” 

Journal of medical Internet research vol. 21,11 e16344. 6 Nov. 2019, doi:10.2196/16344

Vesna, Victoria. Context Providers: Conditions of Meaning in Media Arts. United Kingdom, 

Intellect Books Limited, 2014.



Images

Hamilton, Isobel Asher. “Elon Musk's Neuralink Wants to Embed Microchips in People's Skulls 

and Get Robots to Perform Brain Surgery.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 16 Feb. 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/neuralink-elon-musk-microchips-brains-ai-2021-2#neuralink-is-developing-two-bits-of-equipment-the-first-is-a-chip-that-would-be-implanted-in-a-persons-skull-with-electrodes-fanning-out-into-their-brain-2. 

Pisarchik, Alexander N et al. “From Novel Technology to Novel Applications: Comment on "An 

Integrated Brain-Machine Interface Platform With Thousands of Channels" by Elon Musk and Neuralink.” Journal of medical Internet research vol. 21,10 e16356. 31 Oct. 2019, doi:10.2196/16356

Rabadán, Alejandra T. “Neurochips: Considerations from a neurosurgeon's standpoint.” Surgical 

neurology international vol. 12 173. 19 Apr. 2021, doi:10.25259/SNI_591_2020


 

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