Opinion Archives - Council Science Fiction

Human Genetic Engineering: A Writer’s Perspective on Current Advances and Future Possibilities

Imperator — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 20:02:07 +0000

Human genetic engineering has a prominent place in my works, where thanks to advances in the field, people live long lives free from any number of diseases and conditions. I envision a future where humans have been able to grow into an interstellar civilization thanks to genetic alterations allowing them to survive in conditions otherwise too harsh for human life. The idea of genetically modifying humans has long been a staple of science fiction, but for the most part it has remained just that, science fiction. While we have altered the genes of plants and other animals, we have been understandably apprehensive about altering the genetic code of living humans, until now.

The end of 2017 marked a major step forward in this regard, as doctors made the first attempt at editing the genes of a living patient to treat a disease. (In this case it was to treat Hunter’s Syndrome, an inherited metabolic disorder). 2018 may prove to be an even more eventful year in this regard, as several gene therapy trials are planned for the treatment of genetic diseases including hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa. Gene therapies may represent a way to cure some of these debilitating conditions, which until now have only been treatable. For example, hemophilia, caused by a deficiency of clotting factors, can be treated with weekly injections. But a gene therapy could allow an afflicted individual to produce these clotting factors themselves, effectively curing them and allowing them to live a disease free life.

These are just some of the conditions that could potentially be treated or cured using gene therapies. In addition to the treatment of genetic diseases and disorders, some researchers have also investigated the potential of using gene therapies to extend human lives. Given the recent advances in the field, it is inevitable that gene therapies will play a major role in the future of medicine.

How these Advances Influence my Writing

With so much happening now, I find it fascinating to envision what might be hundreds or even thousands of years from now. In a distant future, it is quite possible that most of the human race may have in some way been modified by gene therapies, either directly or as a result of modified genes being passed on through what is known as germline modification. The prospect of what life may look like when genetic diseases and disorders have been eliminated and gene therapies are considered normal medical treatment may no longer lie solely in the realm of science fiction. Perhaps not soon, but eventually this could have a very real effect on the way people live; this is a part of the future I try to portray in my writings.

The greatest effect on society would likely stem from drastically extended lifespans. People living healthy lives for decades, perhaps even a century longer than they do today, would lead to extraordinary societal shifts. First, people would likely work much longer than they do today. While this might seem terrible to us now, it may not be relative to such a long lifespan. Second, a major shift in policies regarding retirement and benefits such as Social Security would be necessitated, likely reflecting the fact that people would be working for much longer. Finally, there would be a significant shift in attitudes about age. Significantly extended lifespans would naturally lead to concepts of old age and youth being redefined. Now, almost everyone considers those 80 years and over to be elderly, what does society look like when it is middle age? What happens when 80 is considered the new 30? While I do not explicitly address these questions in my works, these questions and many more like them are things I consider when depicting a society of the future.

Another important consideration is that the societal changes that could be brought about by genetic engineering would not occur overnight. The effects would be felt slowly, spread out over many years, perhaps even centuries, thus avoiding the shock brought about by sudden changes. While still very theoretical, all of these concerns are things we may be forced to address in the future.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

No discussion of human genetic engineering would be complete without at least mentioning the myriad of moral and ethical issues surrounding it. There tend to be many differing and often contentious opinions on the topic. However, since it seems that human gene therapies will be a part of the future, the debate over whether to not we should do it appears moot. I would therefore like to focus on a more practical consideration, and one that I have considered a great deal when writing, the question of what sort of gene therapies should be allowed.

As these treatments advance I imagine few people having objections when it comes to treating or curing debilitating or lethal conditions. However, what happens when we consider mere abnormalities that would have limited impact on living a normal life? Where do we draw the line between treatment and enhancement? For example, if we discover an abnormal gene that makes people resistant to a disease, should otherwise healthy people with a normal gene be treated to make them resistant to this disease? These questions fall into a large grey area, and they are just a few of the questions that arise when considering the possibilities of gene therapies.

On the far end of this spectrum are cosmetic changes and outright augmentations; often brought up in this context are designer babies. With gene therapies it becomes possible to select eye color, hair color, enhance intelligence, or change any number of traits in a baby long before birth. For obvious reasons this is one of the most controversial aspects of human gene therapies, and ultimately requires us not only to decide if cosmetic changes should be allowed, but also to define what can be allowed from a standpoint of enhancements and augmentations. The controversy surrounding these issues is only going to grow in the future as they move from theoretical discussions to actual issues that must be addressed. Regardless of our individual stances on human genetic engineering, it is here and it is going to play a growing role in the future of medicine and perhaps human evolution.

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Artificial Intelligence: Inevitability of the Future

Imperator — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 19:12:51 +0000

How we are Already Committed to the Development of AI

Now that my site has been up for a few weeks and people have had the chance to find it and read some of my work, I would like to get into a more regular release schedule. For the first post of this type, I want to talk about a subject I have seen get a great deal of attention recently, artificial intelligence. Those who have read my book know that artificial intelligence plays an important role, and I find it fascinating to stay up to date with advances that can bring the sort of AI envisioned in my stories closer to reality. Every week we see news stories about AI, sometimes about the advancements being made, sometimes about the fears brought on by those advancements. The fact is that AI is going to play a significant part in the future of humanity as a whole. While it will be some time before we see the artificial life form type of AI science fiction likes to envision, AI is already changing our everyday lives.

The Current State of AI

Virtual assistants, such as Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana, can be found on smartphones and numerous other devices that are a regular part of modern life. All of these assistants already rely on rudimentary AI algorithms. Like these virtual assistants, most AI will be little more than advanced tools; designed for specific purposes and aiding people in carrying out specific tasks. This type of AI is of particular interest for its potential in fields such as material engineering or pharmaceuticals, where it can help develop new materials or medicines respectively. Yet, development of AI with capabilities rivaling or even surpassing those of humans is on the horizon.

Since the 1960’s computing power has tended to double every two years. However, this trend has been slowing as we approach the limits of miniaturization. By the mid 2020’s we may reach a point where components are designed on an atomic level and thus cannot be miniaturized further. This is one of the factors driving firms such as IBM and Google to develop quantum computers which have the potential to be millions of times more powerful than conventional computers. While quantum computing is still in its infancy, it offers staggering possibilities for numerous fields, including artificial intelligence. As quantum computing advances it is entirely possible that we may be able to create the very advanced forms of AI found in science fiction.

For those interested in a more detailed explanation of quantum computers and the principles behind them, a good explanation of the fundamentals can be found here: http://www.research.ibm.com/ibm-q/learn/what-is-quantum-computing/

AI of the Future: Dangers and Possibilities

Along with the prospects and possibilities of advanced AI comes the inevitable fear of the AI apocalypse. From books and movies, to scholarly articles and governmental debates, the prospect of murderous AI annihilating or enslaving humanity seems to captivate us. Tech billionaires and scientists repeatedly tell us that AI will destroy us, while activists call for bans on killer robots. The question is whether this is fear mongering or a legitimate concern. Much of this fear seems to stem from our tendency to ascribe human traits to AI. We project a whole host of human motivations and traits to any AI we envision, in science fiction AIs are often given a human form even if there is no practical reason behind it. In most circumstances, there would be no reason for an AI to have such traits or motivations; they would be superfluous or even counterproductive. Perhaps the most pervasive of the motivations is self-preservation.

Many visions of the AI apocalypse are predicated on an AI having an instinct for self-preservation, and “logically” deciding to wipe out humanity because humanity would no doubt destroy it. Even if we assume that no one would program an AI to preserve itself at all cost, we hear fears of an AI learning at an incredible rate and developing such desires on its own. However, this is once again ascribing human traits to the AI. Simply because an AI understands the concept of self-preservation does not mean it will necessarily have the desire for it. Furthermore, should an AI develop a true desire for self-preservation, the assumption that it would naturally decide to wipe out humanity seems to lack a logical basis and instead be rooted in our own fears of the unknown. The truth is we simply do not know what will happen if and when we create an AI that transcends human intelligence, but that gives us reason to be cautious, not outright abandon the possibilities.

Ultimately, it seems that the greatest threat from AI in the near future will come from bad programming, either as a result of negligence or intentional maliciousness. It is the possibility of intentional malicious programming on the part of humans that we should be most concerned about when it comes to AI. We already live in a world where dealing with computer viruses and other forms of malware is a constant battle, and the threats posed are only multiplied when one considers the damage a malicious AI could do. Unfortunately, that threat does not seem to be one that can be avoided. AI is going to be a major influence in the future regardless of any potential dangers it poses, and we must advance our understanding of AI so we are prepared to deal with those dangers.

But often overshadowed by the fears surrounding AI are the benefits it could provide. The advancements to medicine alone could revolutionize the future. With AI it becomes easier to design specific treatments for an individual; to design drugs that target specific problems with minimal side effects. Combined with advances in quantum computing it could allow us to solve problems and run simulations that would be impossible with current technology, expanding our knowledge in ways we may not yet imagine. No matter what, the development of AI is not something that can be stopped, it already exists and it is only going to become more advanced. In a world that has become inextricably tied to technology, AI will play an ever expanding role in our future.

Come back next week for Part 2 of my short story Lockdown, or read Part 1 Here.

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