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Author: Natasha Vita-More

Title: "Zone of Life Expansion"

Affiliations: Ph.D. Researcher, Planetary Collegium, Univ. of Plymouth, UK,

Chair, Humanity+, and Co-Editor The Transhumanist Reader

Email: natasha@natasha.cc

Abstract:

It is long established by Roy Ascott that we have entered the moist zone. It is possible that we

are awaiting the zone of life prolongation. Life prolongation is one anticipated result of

human enhancement's continuous modification of human physiology, diversification of our

species, and advancement toward substrate-independent minds. The anticipated results rely

upon developments of bio-nanotechnology and artificial [general] intelligence. Unfortunately,

the use of these media has unspecified and potentially risky outcomes. Nevertheless,

unknown outcomes have not restricted or discourage artists from engaging human-computer

integration and human-synthetic environments. This paper explores human enhancement

media, including tools suggested by a technological Singularity, as a penultimate stage of life

prolongation.

Keywords: human enhancement, life expansion, immortality, upload, Singularity

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Introduction

"Design is bottom-up, seeded and emergent" stated Roy Ascott as he pioneered across the metal wirings of

interactive media and computer integration toward the "silicon and pixels merge with molecules and matter."

(Ascott 2003, 362) Ascott was onto something special—something stemming from his observations and

theoretical findings about art, science and the future. The moist zone emerging from telematic art has, as Ascott

has shown, invigorated artistic explorations into the syncretic prospects for art. (Ascott 2008)

In this paper, I introduce the zone of life prolongation as stemming from the tools our ancestors used for

sustenance, and that the innovation of technology could lead to increasing the human maximum lifespan.

Norbert Wiener once wrote that “[t]he human species is strong only insofar as it takes advantage of the innate,

adaptive, learning faculties that its physiological structure makes possible." Through this supposition, I

reference nine current projects that explore brain engineering and physiological simulations, as well as memory

storage.

The many questions and concerns about modifying/enhancing human physiology draw from issues of human

rights and the affects of converging NBIC sciences and technologies. To illustrate some of the issues, I suggest

six beneficial scenarios and six non-beneficial scenarios which might come about if and when humanity moves

more deeply into the moist zone and into the zone of life prolongation.

Anticipating the outcomes of innovative explorations triggers enthusiasm and consternation, especially when

these explorations lead us into the fields of nanobiotechnology and artificial [general] intelligence. Enthusiasm

suggests a prospect to prolong life and to sustain human personal identity in non-biological substrates.

Consternation reminds us that the possibilities of life prolongation sound far more exciting in science fiction or

in theoretical conjecture than in reality: Where will we go? What will we become?

DIY Enhancement System

Vita-More, Natasha 2011

The philosophical perspective of transhumanism that the human, as an unfixed biological system, augments,

enhances and extends is in concert with the hastening of science and technology. Whether inborn or instigated,

innovative tools have been used to increase physiological abilities for sustenance, survival and for pleasure:

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rock, wood, metal—electronics, robotics, cybernetics—innovative tools are fostering moist media toward a field

of human enhancement where personal identity continues the notion that "life is a self-generated information

system". (Kelly 2010, 45)

Limited Life Span

Humans are animals that build tools to enhance physiology. It is the use of tools that helped to increase the

human brain into a larger, more complex system than that of early hominids. "Tools and bigger brains mark the

beginning of a distinctly human line of evolution." (Kelly 2010, 22) According to Jared Diamond, early

hominids lacked innovation: "In short, Neanderthal tools had no variation in either time or space to suggest that

most human characteristics, innovation". (Diamond 2006, 44) The hunter-gatherer life span increased most

likely due to mobility, language, and a need to convey information their tribal societies—information became a

means to convey knowledge that could help others survive. "Many modern populations enjoy longer life spans

than did humans of the past." (Diamond 2006, 4) "Our long life span, therefore, was important to our rise from

animal to human status." (Diamond 2006, 123) Studies show that the approximate life expectancy of the

Neanderthal could have been 20 years, Classical Greece 28 years, Medieval England 33 years, late 19th Century

37 years, and Early 20th Century approximately 50 years. The current general lifespan for most people

worldwide, including developing countries that have sanitation, is in the vicinity of between 77 and 81 years.i

The large gap between early humans to late humans has been based on tools for fighting disease, curing injury

and preventing the spread of deadly viruses through the continuing development of sanitationii and medical

biotechnological advances. Nevertheless, even with the advances of our life-saving tools, approximately

155,000 humans die every day, many of which could have been averted.

122 Years, but Not Longer

Life prolongation is one anticipated result of human enhancement's continuous modification of human

physiology and diversification of our species. From a philosophical perspective, it means that personal

identity—our personhood—would become unfixed to biology. Developmental research in neuroscience and

neuroengineering suggest that personal identity could be uploaded—otherwise known as substrate-independent

minds. This outcome would change numerical identity to personhood as housed-in or transported-through semi

and non-biological platforms. However, before we explore this possibility, let’s glance over the tools for

extending life in the biological form.

Pharmacology, robotics, genetic engineering, stem cell cloning, organ replacement, and prosthetics are modern

tools for enhancing physiology. Genomics and its study of genetic information in an organism, and its subset

bioinformatics, which stores, analyzes and compares genomic data, allow genomic data to be used effectively in

biotechnology. Robotics has aided surgical procedures on the microscopic level through micromanipulator

technology. The most widely known stem cell therapy to date is bone marrow transplantation to treat leukemia

and other cancers. The drug CRNOPC1, containing stem cells, has been recently used as a treatment for spinal

cord injury (11 October 2010), which is a major advance for spinal degeneration and injury. In 2010, a group of

scientists have claimed to have decoded a gene responsible for aging, called the “Methuselah” geneiii

(Leake

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2010) and further, disease-prone traits are discovered to link to reduction of telomerase activity.iv (Blackburn

2006)

Nevertheless, aggressive methods for prolonging biological life are limited. The responsibility, for the most part,

has been that of the individual person to practice suggested protocol for ensuring health and vitality, including

healthy diets, aerobics and aerobic exercise, yearly physicals, blood screening, MRIs, and other types of

noninvasive assessment of physiology. Yet these diagnostics do not actually offer a precise and substantial

analysis of wellness, including reliable readouts of cell mutation or malignancy. People who are proactive about

longevity often engage hormone replacement therapy, antioxidant enzymes, methylation support for the nervous

system, mitochondrial restoration, and neuro-immune stabilizers, (Stewart 2010) and practicing lowered heart

rate (through transcendental mediation (TM), for example). While these practices may provide a sense of self-

esteem and promote good health, there is potential for adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals, such as hormone

replacement therapy, and even placebo effects and, further, they do not extend human life. The truth of the

matter is that even though innovative tools have improved the quality of life for many people living close to the

maximum life span, which is currently slated at 122 yearsv; it has not increased the maximum life span.

Prospect for Life Prolongation

Life prolongation is a meaningful goal for biotechnology, which intervention targets modifying the human

system and its organs, cells and molecules. But life prolongation is not satisfied with resting on the laurels of

biological cells' engineering skills; it is looking toward the use of emerging technologies to negotiate life

prolongation.

Out of all the possible tools for life prolongevity, nanomedicine and artificial [general] intelligence may offer

the greatest potential for eradicating disease and enhancing physiology. Nano-medical technology

(nanomedicine) suggests nanorobot synthetic cells functioning alongside bio-cells would organize to deliver

repair to cells and to assist the total bodily system in identifying cell mutation and malignancies. Nanomedicine

for repairing cell damage, may not only prolong human life to its maximum but may also restructure DNA to

function for a longer periods of time. (Freitas 1999) Nevertheless, innovation will not stop here. The tools of life

prolongation include protocols for exploring synthetic transbiological platforms for human inhabitancy rather

than exclusively extending the biological life span.

Diversified Personhood

Life prolongation from a philosophical perspective means that personal identity be unfixed to biology. This

would require a change from numerical identity to single or multiple selves housed-in or transported-through

semi and non-biological substrates. The potential for such diversified personhood remains a supposition largely

based on the potential for preserving the brain and copying its gray matter with the aim for personal existence to

continue in exobody systems and/or distributed cognition.

Brain, Mind and Matter

Since life prolongation is essentially concerned with personal identity, and for the purposes of this paper,

personal identity is suggested to be primarily located in the brain.

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However somewhat inconceivable, one could ask: What will brains look like in the future? Moreover, what

might the mind look like in the future? These questions may be onto something special—something stemming

from our observations and theoretical findings about art, science and the future and ideas from many highly

specialized fields: bioengineering, neuroscience, artificial [general] intelligence, nanotechnology, computational

hardware architectures, visual art, immersivity and virtuality, industrial design, philosophy and psychology.

“In the past, the transferal of minds into computer-based systems has been rather vaguely referred to

as “uploading.” However, those hoping to advance this multidisciplinary field of research prefer to use

the term Advancing Substrate Independent Minds (ASIM), to emphasize a more scientific, and less

science-fiction approach to creating emulations of human brains in non-biological substrates. The

term ASIM captures the fact that there are several ways in which hardware and software may be used

to run algorithms that mimic the human brain, and that there are many different approaches that can be

used to realize this end goal.” (Koene and Gildert 2010)

Projects Currently Being Explored

Blue Brain Project

Center for Neuroscience

and Technology

The Blue Brain Project is an attempt to reverse engineer the

brain. It will serve as a tool for neuroscientists and medical

researchers. It is not an attempt to recreate a brain or create a

new brain, nor is it an AI or AGI project. The Blue Brain

Project is focused on creating a physiological simulation for

biomedical purposes. The principle researcher is Dr. Henry

Markram at the Center for Neuroscience and Technology.

Cryonics Neuro Suspension Project

Alcor Life Extension Foundation

Cryonics Neuro Suspension Project. Cryonics is the low-

temperature preservation of the human brain. Cryoprotectants

are used to reduce crystallization of brain cells. The process

for cooling the brain is called vitrification. The principle

researchers are Dr. Greg Fahy of Twenty-First Century

Medicine and Dr. Brain Wowk of Alcor Foundation.

Brain Corporation Project

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Brain Corporation Project

The Brain Corporation Project is working to build an

anatomically detailed and physiologically accurate large-scale

model of the nervous system. The team is recreating

mammalian visual cortex and inferior temporal cortex.

Principle researcher is Dr. Eugene M. Izhikevich, The

Neurosciences Institute

Neural-Prosthetic Project

Neural-Prosthetic Project

The Neural-Prosthetic Project research uses experimental and

theoretical approaches to develop models of mammalian

neural systems. The focus is currently on the hippocampus

(learning and memory). The purpose is to research

hippocampal neurons behavior and exchange electrical

signals. The goal is to adapt this behavior to a synthetic device

(computer chip). Principle researcher is Dr. Theodore W.

Berger, Biomedical Engineering Laboratories at the University

of Southern California.

Connectomics Project

Diffusion spectrum imaging of

the human brain. Source: Van J.

Wedeen, M.D., Harvard Medical

School

The Connectomics Project represents emerging field called

"connectomics" and attempts to physically map all synaptic

connections between neurons in the mammalian brain and its

neural circuits that collect, process, and archive information

contained in the nervous system. One possible outcome is

them mapping of data that could shed light on diseases that are

linked to faulty wiring, such as autism and schizophrenia.

Principle researchers are Jeff Lichtman, M.D. Harvard

University, and Jean Livet, and Joshua Sanes, Directors of the

Center for Brain Science at Harvard.

Brain Preservation Project

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Brain Preservation Project

The Brain Preservation Project has a three-fold purpose: (1) to

develop progress in connectomics, plastinating, and scanning

animal brains in order to develop deeper understanding of

healthy and disordered mental behavior; (2) to preserve

memories and experiences of animals; (3) to aid to the project

of continued life by working with other technologies, such as

AGI and nanomedicine. Principle researcher is Dr. Ken

Hayworth, postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University.

Carboncopies Project

Carboncopies

The Carboncopies organization networks researchers in the

fields of the mammalian brain and nervous system research

facilitating brain transfer onto nonbiological substrates. The

goal is to offer a hub around experts in cross-disciplinary

fields engaging the new field of Advancing Substrate-

Independent Minds (ASIM). Principle researchers are Dr.

Randal Koene Dr. Suzanne Gildert.

Reconstructing Minds Project

Terasem Movement, Inc.

Reconstructing Minds Project. Project suggests reconstructing

minds from software mindfiles. The subproject is CyBeRev

Project, which provides an opportunity for people to take a

first step in preserving their identity. Principle researcher is

Dr. Martine Rothblatt.

Neurotransmitter

The Neurotransmitters Project is an inquiry into issues

concerning minimal nonspecific scattered foci of abnormal

signals in white matter, consistent with aging. Observation of

viral elements in the body resulted in the use of Acyclovir (for

DNA viral inflammation) and Amantadine (for RNA viral

inflammation), along with application of Methylation and

Dopamine support for possible increase in memory and other

cognitive factors. Principle researcher is Natasha Vita-More at

H+ Lab in private affiliation with NeuroSensory Centers of

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Vita-More 2011

America.

Assumptions of Technological Tools Affecting Humans

There are numerous reasons why a person might want to live longer and/or preserve or copy the brain onto non-

biological systems, the first being a desire to live longer and explore the unknown future. There are also

numerous reasons why a person may not want extend life beyond the general life span and prefer the option of

death, for reasons of religious or spiritual preference or a belief in the historical cycle of life and death. While it

may not prove to be an either or scenario, as more options become available for life, personal identity, and

variations of deathvi (Vita-More 2008), these preliminary options, as currently discussed, need to be respected in

a world of diversified beliefs, cultures, and societies, as long as neither option causes harm to the other. The

proposal for protecting human rights of morphological freedomvii

(More 1993) (Vita-More 2009) stands out as

consequential because it suggests the protection of one's selective choice to enhance and the right of one's

decision not to enhance.

The sciences and technologies of human enhancement include nanotechnology, biotechnology, information

technology, and cognitive sciences (NBIC).viii

(Roco and Bainbridge 2002) The human enhancement field is

cross-disciplinary, and there is growing interest in biosynthetic and virtual bodies within the fields of media arts

and design. If this is so, why would artists and designers adopt enhancing human physiology and/or prolonging

life? Perhaps because artists have a history of altering and augmenting the human form—perceptually,

conceptually and in reality. The tools, including NBIC, to extend human abilities links human enhancement to

artistic practices of human-computer interaction, which have extended human abilities by interfacing with

electronic interfaces, robotics, wearables, gaming, and simulated environments. Human enhancement also

relates to artistic practices, such as bioart and biological art. The relationship of human enhancement to HCI

suggests a furthering of bio-synthetic interaction of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and artificial [general]

intelligence (AGI) in altering brain plasticity and/or augmenting cognition. The relationship with human

enhancement and biotechnological interaction with genetic engineering, stem cell cloning, and gene

manipulation suggests altering human physiology and radically extending life.

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Existence Risk and Technological Singularity

“The human species is strong only insofar as it takes advantage of the innate, adaptive, learning faculties that its

physiological structure makes possible.” (Wiener 1954)

There are many questions and concerns about whether or not modifying or enhancing the human is

advantageous, and there is deep interest in the ratio of positive vs. negative outcomes of human enhancement.

Nevertheless, most of the relevant literature reports a consensus of opinion that NBIC technologies—separately

or together—will inevitably affect human biology and increase human lifespan. (Roco and Bainbridge 2002)

Ethical considerations of existence risk and accelerating technology piggyback on warnings of dogma—that

proponents of advancing the life span of human species and designing semi- and non-biological bodies,

including uploads and advancing substrate-independent minds, are not aware of leaning too far toward risks of

an unknown future. This may be a near truth or conscientious observation of specific thought-leaders advocating

a non-human posthumanity, but not of transhumanism in particular or in general. The worldview of

Transhumanism argues for continuous questioning of ideas in advancing knowledge and, thereby, counters

dogma of authoritative opinion that lacks scientific investigation, as exemplified in the tenets of the philosophy

of Extropy, a word developed to signify both rational optimism and critical thinking. Further, neither the general

public's over-enthusiasm nor over-whelming negativity offer a solution, as both options lack objective rigor for

strategizing the future by pigeonholing possibilities into the positive or the negative scenarios. In short, the most

necessary mental tool is to question all sources of information, including one's thinking.

The following chart summarizes the author's research on potential outcomes of NBIC sciences and technologies

that could occur due to a Technological Singularity:

Beneficial Possibilities

Shared sensory-experience-technology to map one person’s thoughts onto synthetic platforms.

Internal network of nano-computers to continually detect cell disease and report status to the brain.

Exo-body AGIs function as silicon partners to assist human-level intelligence.

Global Human Rights encourages Morphological Freedom as the right for a person to enhance and the

right for a person not to be coerced to enhance.

Death to be an option and reversible for all humans.

The industry of life insurance develops the Life-Assurance-Social-System for preserving a person’s

synthetic single or multiple identities.

Non-Beneficial Possibilities

A rise in idea-theft challenges security protocol protects a person’s thoughts.

Those who remain 75 – 100% biological experience a vertigo effect, challenging the need to enhance

the senses.

Mental diseases and psychotic disorders are reintroduced into medical fields with new criterion as a

result of a person’s inability to cope with co-existing within multiple identities in real-time and

synthetic-time.

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The human need for death rituals becomes big business and consumerist entertainment industry—if

only for the experience of death.

Molecular nanotechnology is out-of-control as it self-replicates and cannot be dissolved permanently,

causing mass pollution—a scenario known as ecophagy.

The eradication of disease causes people to feel isolated and long for a biological connection to bring

them together in hope.

Supercomputing intelligences (AGIs) become smarter and more capable than humans.

Lists such as this one offer little option other than a selection of positive/beneficial and negative/nonbeneficial

of the NBIC outcomes. However, the Singularity is neither positive nor negative—it is a suggested result of

mass technological acceleration and convergence. Developing a field for human futures is necessary to

encourage deeper discussion, research and study. Further, and this pertains directly to the domain or arts and

science, and design, of all the new media impacting the arts and sciences, the media of human enhancement may

be receiving the most socio-political attention but the least artistic enthusiasm. Recently there has been an

increase in the number of formal discussions of human enhancement technologies amongst artists, designers and

curators. In 2008, “Human Enhancement Technologies: The Role of Art and Design” spearheaded social and

ethical implication of enhancement technologies. In 2009, "Human Enhancement & Nanotechnology

Conference" and FACT's "Human Futures" program breached a gap in science and art with discussions of

aesthetics norms and ethics. Nonetheless, the elements of aesthetics in engaging human enhancement were of

less consequence.

Consider a field of human biosculpture, where the human body, mind and identity are modified by the user. If

design is a social process then the art of human enhancement can be viewed as a process of adaptation. For

artists and designers in the biological arts, the idea of molding or sculpting the human form has enormous

potential. For media artists in interactive, immersive environments, the idea of virtuality as a constructed

identity has continuing value regardless of its creator. Tom Ray, creator of the “Tierra” artificial life simulation,

suggests that "the idea of creating life is exciting but extending life of humans for the purposes of continued and

regenerative existence may not be realized as a mode of aesthetic creation in traditional works of art”—yet.ix

Conclusion

In this paper, I introduced the zone of life prolongation as stemming from the tools our ancestors used for

sustenance, survival and for pleasure, as well as for fighting disease, curing injury and preventing the spread of

deadly viruses. I stated that the human’s general lifespan has increased from approximately 20 years to the

maximum lifespan of 122 years. I argued that this maximum lifespan could be increased through the continued

innovation of technology in developing new tools for enhancing physiology. I suggested that life prolongation,

from a philosophical perspective, means that personal identity would become unfixed to biology. Through this

supposition, I referenced current projects exploring brain engineering and physiological simulations, cryonic

neuro suspension, the building of anatomically accurate large-scale models of the brain, and neuro-prosthetics,

attempts to physically map synaptic neuronal connections. I also briefed projects engaging brain preservation,

such as the Carboncopies research and networking project. On a more near-term basis, I noted the Mindfiles

project for building a personal portfolio of identity data and a project exploring the brain's nonspecific scattered

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foci of abnormal signals in white matter reflecting aging neuroactivity and possible alternatives to memory

degeneration most likely due to viral inflammation.

In quoting Wiener that “[t]he human species is strong only insofar as it takes advantage of the innate, adaptive,

learning faculties that its physiological structure makes possible”, I attempted to establish the idea that

innovative tools could lead to human enhancement and life prolongation. I also addressed questions and

concerns about whether or not modifying/enhancing the human is advantageous, in light of the converging

NBIC sciences and technologies, as well as the development of artificial [general] intelligence, a key technology

in building computer superintelligences of the conjectured Technological Singularity.

In framing human enhancement from an artistic perspective, I suggested that computer-generated works,

including robotics, AI, and virtuality, as well as biological arts in altering cell structures, have an historical

significance in the development of the field of human enhancement. Lastly, I asked that we consider a field of

human enhancement where personal identity of the biological person and substrate-independent be modified by

the user.

Endnotes.

i Estimates according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, 1961.

ii Sanitation dates back to 1700 B.C. Studies show that the Minoan Kingdom, Palaces at Knossos, Ancient

Greece, and in 800 BC, Roman sewers. Hippocrates urges the boiling of water to remove impurities.

(Internet FAQ Archives Online Education. 11 Oct 2010.

<http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/36/Sanitation.html>

iii Methuselah genes (named after a biblical patriarch who is said to have lived to 969), these genes are thought

to contain ADIPOQ, found in 10% of young humans but also in 30% of humans who live past 100. Further,

the CETP gene and the ApoC3 gene are located in 10% of young humans and 20% of those who live past

100. AdipoQ and Acrp30 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ADIPOQ gene.) (Maeda,

Shimomura, et al 1996)

iv Telomeres form protective ends of chromosomes. Normal cell replication cuts off the outer portions of DNA

strands. As each cell divides, telomeres are lost, but he enzyme telomerase rebuilds these sequences.

However, over time, the telomerase loses its efficiency (as humans age). (Alexei Olovnikov 1971)

v Jeanne Calment is reported to live to 122 years. “Don’t Die, Stay Pretty” Brian Alexander, January 2000.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.01/forever.html

vi Determining the state of death has changed over the years. It was once considered to be a sign of death if

breathing had stopped or a pulse could not be recognized. Today we are able to revive patients who would

have been considered dead. Tomorrow we may be able to have different types of death such as partial

death, selective or temporary death, for example.

vii Morphological Freedom is stated refers to a proposed civil right of a person to either maintain his/her

biology or to modify/enhance his/her biology on his/her own terms through informed consensual recourse

or refusal of therapeutic or enabling of medical technology.

viii NBIC is the acronym for nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, cognitive and neuo

sciences. The terms “NBIC” and “NBIC Convergence” were coined by Dr. Mihail C. Roco, founding chair

of the National Science and Technology Council's subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and

Technology (NSET), and Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology at the National Science Foundation.

Acronyms: NBIC: nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, cognitive science; DNA:

deoxyribonucleic acid; ASIM: advancing substrate independent minds; AI: artificial intelligence; AGI: artificial

general intelligence

References.

Ascott, R. (2003) Telematic Embrace. Shanken, E. (ed.) Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California

Press, p. 362.

12

Ascott, R. (2008) "Cybernetic, Technoetic, Syncretic: The Prospect for Art" in Leonardo. Vol. 41, No. 3, June

28, p. 204.

Blackburn, E. (2008) “Telomeres and Telomerase: Their Implications in Human Health and Disease” University

of California, San Francisco/Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Available:

http://www.ibioseminars.org/blackburn/blackburn1.shtml

Diamond, J. (2006) The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. New York: Harper

Perennial, pp. 4, 44, 123.

Fahy GM, Wowk B, Pagotan R, Chang A, Phan J, Thomson B, Phan L (2009). "Physical and biological aspects

of renal vitrification". ORGANOGENESIS 5 (3), pp. 167–75.

Freitas, R. (1999) Nanomedicine, Vol.1: Basic Capabilities. Austin: Landes Bioscience.

Kelly, K. (2010) What Technology Wants. New York: Viking, pp. 22, 45.

Koene R. and Gildert, S. (2010) “Carboncopies—Realistic Routes to Substrate-Independent Minds”. Teleplace,

17 July 2010, 10:00 AM PST. Available: http://www.carboncopies.org/workshops/online-talk-realistic-routes-

to-substrate-independent-minds

Leake, J. (2010) “Genes Found that Let You Live to 100” in The Sunday Times. May 16, 2010. Available:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article7127753.ece

Maeda K, Okubo K, Shimomura I, Funahashi T, Matsuzawa Y, Matsubara K (April 1996) "cDNA cloning and

expression of a novel adipose specific collagen-like factor, apM1 (AdiPose Most abundant Gene transcript 1)".

Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 221 (2): 286–9.

Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S. (2002) "Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance:

Integrating from the Nanoscale" in Journal of Nanoparticle Research 4, no. 4.

Stewart, K..L. (20010) Interview. 13 April 2010.

Vita-More, N. (2008) “Death: Cessation of Existence as an Issue for the Cells and Bits of the Transitional

Human”. Sao Paulo, Brazil, 8th Research Update (22 Nov – 3 Dec 2008) 16.

— “Brave BioArt 2: shedding the bio, amassing the nano, and cultivating posthuman life” in Technoetic Arts A

journal of speculative research, Vol. 5:3, Intellect. p. 171.

— (2009) “Human rights for Human Enhancement”, delivered at Stand-up for Human Rights Conference,

Pozan, Poland, 2-8 March 2009. Available: http://hrart.wordpress.com/ and

http://hrart.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/natasha-vita-more-us-%E2%80%9Cmorphological-

freedom%E2%80%9D-4-photographs-2008-wwwnatashacc/

Weiner, N. (1954) The Human Use of Human Beings. Boston: Da Capo Press. p. 58.

Figures.

DIY Enhancement System. N. Vita-More, 2011.

Blue Brain Project. Center for Neuroscience and Technology.

Cryonics Neuro Suspension Project. Alcor Life Extension Foundation. http://www.alcor.org.

Simulation of Large Scale Brain Models. Brain Corporation Project. http://www.braincorporation.com/

Neural-Prosthetic Project. Biomedical Engineering Laboratories at the University of Southern California.

http://www.neural-prosthesis.com/

"Diffusion spectrum imaging of the human brain". Van Wedeen, J. http://www.mcb.harvard.edu/Lichtman/

13

Brain Preservation Project. Hayworth, K. http://www.brainpreservation.org/

Carboncopies. Koene, R. http://www.carboncopies.org/

Reconstructing Minds Project. http://telexlr8.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/martine-rothblatt-on-reconstructing-

minds-from-software-mindfiles-teleplace-september-18/

i Estimates according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, 1961.

ii Sanitation dates back to 1700 B.C. Studies show that the Minoan Kingdom, Palaces at Knossos, Ancient

Greece, and in 800 BC, Roman sewers. Hippocrates urges the boiling of water to remove impurities.

(Internet FAQ Archives Online Education. 11 Oct 2010.

<http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/36/Sanitation.html> iii

Methuselah genes (named after a biblical patriarch who is said to have lived to 969), these genes are thought

to contain ADIPOQ, found in 10% of young humans but also in 30% of humans who live past 100. Further,

the CETP gene and the ApoC3 gene are located in 10% of young humans and 20% of those who live past

100. AdipoQ and Acrp30 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ADIPOQ gene.) (Maeda,

Shimomura, et al 1996) iv Telomeres form protective ends of chromosomes. Normal cell replication cuts off the outer portions of DNA

strands. As each cell divides, telomeres are lost, but he enzyme telomerase rebuilds these sequences.

However, over time, the telomerase loses its efficiency (as humans age). (Alexei Olovnikov 1971) v Jeanne Calment is reported to live to 122 years. “Don’t Die, Stay Pretty” Brian Alexander, January 2000.

<http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.01/forever.html> vi Determining the state of death has changed over the years. It was once considered to be a sign of death if

breathing had stopped or a pulse could not be recognized. Today we are able to revive patients who would

have been considered dead. Tomorrow we may be able to have different types of death such as partial

death, selective or temporary death, for example. vii

Morphological Freedom is stated refers to a proposed civil right of a person to either maintain his/her biology

or to modify/enhance his/her biology on his/her own terms through informed consensual recourse or refusal

of therapeutic or enabling of medical technology. viii

NBIC is the acronym for nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, cognitive and neuo

sciences. The terms “NBIC” and “NBIC Convergence” were coined by Dr. Mihail C. Roco, founding chair

of the National Science and Technology Council's subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and

Technology (NSET), and Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology at the National Science Foundation.

About the Author

Natasha Vita-More, PhD Candidate, Planetary Collegium, CAiiA Node, University of

Plymouth, is a University Lecturer, Board of Directors of Humanity+, Advisor to the

Singularity University, Visiting Scholar at 21st Century Medicine, Fellow at Institute for

Ethics & Emerging Technologies, a Guest Editor at Global Spiral; and Columnist of

Nanotechnology Now. In 1999, she designed the future human prototype “Primo Posthuman”.

She produced and hosted for cable TV Transcentury Update, founded Transhumanist Arts &

Culture, was President of Extropy Institute, and chaired the Vital Progress Summit 2004. She

is published in 100 000 Ans de Beauté, Artifact, and Technoetic Arts and has been featured in

Wired, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report and

has appeared in over twenty-four televised documentaries on the future

Paper Delivered at Biotopia Symposium, PORT 20:10 Festival of Contemporary Art & Social

Technology, Utzon Centre, Aalborg, Denmark, October 16, 2011