MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Promise of Molecular Biotechnology
by Mike Deering

Standard Caveat - Even though this essay appears on the SAG website it is represented as solely the opinion of Mike Deering, and is not endorsed by the SAG organization or the individual members of the SAG Board of Directors. It is the policy of the SAG to present a diversity of opinion on the Singularity.

Molecular Biotechnology - the complete understanding and control of biological processes at the molecular level, including functional genomics and proteomics.

Molecular Nanotechnology - the complete control over the structure of matter at the atomic level.

Medical Nanobot - atomic scale robot with nano-assembly/disassembly capability under external control.

Singularity - the explosion of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and computer technology.

Mature molecular biotechnology is the limit of knowledge and capability in biological/medical science. With the advent of mature molecular nanotechnology we will have the tools to rapidly reach mature molecular biotechnology. Real time molecular scanning, unlimited information processing power, artificial intelligence, and medical nanobots are just some of the products of mature molecular nanotechnology. Our choices for using these new technologies range from the complete redesign of our biological bodies into any shape, any appearance, and amazing new capabilities to the complete replacement of our bodies with new bodies based on the nanomachine paradigm. We might not have bodies at all. We could be disembodied minds of energy information matrices operating in cyberspace or via utility fog in real space.

Biological knowledge is accumulating at an exponential rate. Soon all biological processes will be thoroughly understood. This knowledge combined with the tools of molecular nanotechnology and super-human artificial intelligence (SAI) will give us complete control at the molecular level of the functioning and design of any living organism. The applications of molecular biotechnology extend to all aspects of living organisms including medical science and intelligent evolution.

You can be bio-engineered to be, practically, immortal. Age will mean nothing to you and accidental death won't be nearly as great a risk as it is today as your body will be more resistant and resilient to all but the most grave injuries. Death will still be possible but it will be a rare occurrence related to extreme physical destruction of your body and never the result of disease or aging.

Cures to all disease will result from medical nanobots manually correcting any imperfection in the function or form of the physical body at the molecular level. Any disability will be easily correctable at the molecular level by medical nanobots, restoring bodies to perfect physical form. All causes of aging are related to the deterioration of the physical body. Aging is a physical process, and therefore reversible by physical intervention at the molecular level by medical nanobots.

Whatever your ideal of physical perfection, you will be able to be. If you want to be taller or shorted or thinner or if you want to have gills and wings, it doesn't matter, you can do that. Not only will our manufactured products be perfect down to the atomic level, but so will our bodies. Flaws will be a rare matter of personal style. People will have total control over the design, structure, functioning, and appearance of their bodies. We will be living in a fantasy world populated by angels, faeries, witches, demons, and goblins. Individuality will be the premium. You could redesign your whole body on a nanomachinery paradigm to improve durability, efficiency and capability, while maintaining the same basic appearance and senses (enhanced). Along with this bodyware upgrade, you can do a brainware upgrade to carbon nanotube molecular circuitry.

When should we expect such awesome powers? Molecular biotechnology is tied to the Singularity event. The Singularity is based on the technological advancement feedback loop that is each generation of tools makes it possible to produce the next generation of better tools. The doubling time for computer power as of September 2002 is down to 9 months and falling. Technological advancement in every field is not just continuing; it is accelerating. I personally expect the Singularity event within five years, but historical trends make it virtually guaranteed by 2020.

When you hear on the news that the first assembler nanobot has been produced, hold on to your seat, as you are about to commence the roller coaster ride of your life.

Singularity Action Group website frames version.