Introduction to the 4th Colloquium on the Law of

Futuristic Persons

Martine Rothblatt

Martine@terasemcentral.org

Definition of Persons

• A human or organization with legal rights and duties

• Are transhumanized US citizens still citizens?– If no renunciation or death, still

a citizen– Are revived persons reborn &

new citizens?

• Can non-citizens be organized as trusts or other business forms?

• Title 22 U.S.C. Section 6010. ''United States person'' defined As used in this chapter, the term ''United States person'' means any United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States, and any corporation, partnership, or other organization organized under the laws of the United States.

Inspired by Long-Running Colloquia on the Law of Outer Space

• Started in 1958• Convened Annually• Responsible for

Preparing Outlines of 5 Space Treaties

• Made Significant Contribution to Development of Outer Space

1958: First Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space

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2008: Fourth Colloquium on the Law of Futuristic Persons

When Legal Efforts Began

Space: 1958

Transbeman: 2008

Outer Space Technology

Transbeman Technology

Practicality & Utility Scientific & Military Scientific, Medical & Military

Motivation for Law Avoid Conflict Among States

Avoid Conflict Among Beings

Hardest Issue Boundaries in Space

Boundaries in Citizenship

Action Plan Transcend Air Law Concepts

Transcend Law of Persons Concepts?

What Did the Experts Conclude in 1958?

• The age-old concept of national sovereignty over airspace had to give way to the technological reality of orbital overflight

• Someone had to be legally responsible for every object placed into space -- registration, coordination & strict liability for damages

What Might We Conclude Analogous to Our Legal Forebearers?

• Age-old concepts of citizenship & death may have to give way to new techno-logical realities

• Responsibility for transbeman persons will need to be regularized

Proactive Legal Issues for Colloquia on Futuristic Law

• Rights & Obligations

• Application of Laws

• Personhood• Citizenship• Parenting• Property• Liability

We Must Evolve Law with Evolving Technology…

• Just as Copernicus’ theory of the Earth’s rotation numbered the days of old-school sovereignty, so does

• Turing’s theory of machine consciousness number the days of old-school citizenship

How Might We Do in 10, 20 or 50 Years?

Time It May Take

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Shift to InformationTheory Basis of Life & Death

Recognize CitizenshipOf DNA Humans WhoUpload Mindfiles to Electronic Substrate DueTo Brain Disease

AI Citizenship

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Practical Demonstrations of Technological Immortality

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