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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
2
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:
3
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
4
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.
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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.
9
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.
10
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
11
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
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