A couple of friends have recently asked my why I blog and what I get out of it. It is hard to explain, but spending time online, creating and interacting with innovative people feels like I’m “plugging-in” to a movement to redesign the world to our specifications.
At times I’m shocked by the contrast between the changes I see coming and what I see happening in the present, offline world. I can confidently say that most people are completely ignorant of how different the future will be and how rapidly it is approaching. Our existing laws, social structures, national organizations, and systems of government will have to be restructured to avoid irrelevance.
In no area are these changes more profound than biotechnology. Very soon we will be faced with the world of Do-It-Yourself Biotechnology, what Baris Karadogan correctly calls The Ultimate Empowerment of the Consumer. We will have to deal with new terrorist threats where small groups of people can home-grow biotech and nanotech weapons to wreak massive human destruction. We will be faced with complex social questions our parents couldn’t imagine, such as What is a Human Being?
Consider my experience this week. Every year in Washington D.C. we have thousands of pro-life and pro-choice protesters for the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Monday was no exception. These passionate people come from all over the US (and probably the world) to publicly show disdain or support for this landmark court decision and attempt to lobby our government for action.
On Tuesday I read one of the most startling columns I’ve ever seen on the Internet, Attila Cordas’s piece on How to Isolate Amniotic Stem Cells from the Placenta, at Home! As the title promises, it is a step-by-step process for using a placenta to get amniotic stem cells in your garage.
I suspect that most of Monday’s protestors would not believe such activity is possible, never mind apparently relatively easy. Of course Attila’s process has nothing to do with the raging social debates over embryonic stem cell research. But I also believe that many of these protesters would be absolutely horrified to see this glimpse into the future. How long until someone demonstrates how we can create our own embryonic stem cells? Or grow new organs in our basement? Or even clone ourselves for replacement parts?
Naturally the reaction of many would be to turn to their legistaters for action. They may demand new laws preventing such activity or a halt to federal funding of certain types of research. Unfortunately the creative minds of determined individuals will execute and adapt so quickly to make these efforts utterly pointless. I’m sure Attila could care less what Senator Sam Brownback thinks of bioDIY.
There are reasons to be terrified and delighted by this new power. As you can probably guess, I don’t much subscribe to the gloom-and-doom view of the world. I believe putting this type of creative empowerment in hands of self-organizing people will bring an end to much human suffering.
I doubt most people in America will agree with me. I suspect most will race to their elected representatives to try and control - if not slow - this rate of progress. It will be interesting to witness their reaction when these efforts yield little more than rhetoric.
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Kevin, I interpret your “We are unprepared..” as “We must prepare for the biotech rev.” Stem cells are “the weapons of mass construction”, by the very concept of regenerative medicine. Regmed is not nuclear technology, nor based on free jumping genes, but on valuable human cells. And the most important ally and ideal of biotechnology is infotechnology, and this medium, the web.
Right. I didn’t mean to suggest that stem cells are in any way weapons or the foundation of destruction.
The issue is that the information and tools could be used by dangerous people for other destructive ends, such as creating a new breed of Smallpox.