DESMA 9Art + Science + Technology

Fall 2013Professor Victoria Vesna

Section 1B

Title: Cyborg Clones

Name: Karla Y. Acosta-Diaz

ABSTRACT

Throughout history, human minds have pondered the possibility and applicability of mechanical devices that operate like living beings. As early as “350 B.C.E., mathematician Archytas of Tarenturm created the first mechanical wooden dove capable of flapping its wings and flying up to 200 meters.” [1] Since then, we humans have made a great deal of breakthroughs. Consider David Hanson’s “first cyborgs” that learn how to mimic facial expressions by interacting with humans. [2] These advancements in technology can be the basis for engineering mechanical beings like us: Cyborg Clones.

Sketch of Archytas’ Mechanical Dove.

David Hanson with his Albert Einstein Cyborg.

CONCEPT

Have you ever wondered if you could have a replica of yourself in order to finish your work twice as fast? What if you could design and create a better version of yourself using your DNA? One that makes the right decisions or one that has perfectly proportional features. I’m sure many of us have wondered these questions especially after watching movies like ‘Surrogates’ starring Bruce Willis. In the film, people operate younger more beautiful robot versions of themselves in order to perform their everyday activities. [3] This project proposal explores the possibility of implementing cyborg versions of human beings.

CONTEXT

In today’s modern age of technology, we have already begun merging the robotic with the organic. Take for example the project conducted at Harvard University where “a nanobot made entirely from DNA was created to find diseased cells in the body and deliver a payload to kill or reprogram the malignant cells.” [4] On another Harvard study, half living half electronic cyborg tissues have been grown in laboratory. The tissues include “neurons, heart cells, muscle, and blood vessels that are interwoven by nanowires and transistors.”[5] Such technological progress can pave the way to a future where cyborg clones made from human DNA are a reality.

DNA Nanobot Targeting Malignant Cells

Cells Interwoven with Nanowires

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY PRECEDENTS

RoboKind, which is a robotics company associated with David Hanson, recently developed the Zeno R25, which is an “intuitive and socially interactive robot” that is cute as a button. [6] It was specifically made to connect with people, pick up on their emotions and display empathy thus capable of providing them therapy. This is great breakthrough for technology, as what was once fiction is now a reality. We are now able to create robots capable of displaying emotion.

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY PRECEDENTS

Advances in robotics can be extremely beneficial for people with disabilities. Having a robot to help with everyday chores can make the lives of the elderly or people in wheelchairs much easier. This is a big deal for technology, as robots were formally solely intended to assist humans. Notice that this is how robots are displayed in movies and T.V. shows. In addition, recall that we are now creating nanobots from DNA, which target malignant cells. In other words, by researching this kind of technology, we are advancing the lives of people as well as advancing medicine.

The Jetsons’ Rosie the Robot created to help around the

house

ARTS/HUMANITIES PRECEDENTS

Our advancing technology has benefits other than scientific ones. Specifically, many robots like U.C. San Diego’s RUBI or Korean ENGKEY are strictly implemented to teach linguistics and other humanities. According to Dennis Baron from University of Illinois, these robots are capable of teaching young children different languages including Finnish. [7] The previously mentioned Zeno R25 was also created for teaching purposes. It comes equipped with lessons plans for various languages and engages students with its adorable face.

ARTS/HUMANITIES PRECEDENTS

Throughout U.S. tech history, we have depicted or implemented robots with angry or serious features that are intended for work purposes only. We have begun adopting the vision of other countries by creating robots that look friendly. A lot of time and effort has also been incorporated into creating robots with realistic features. On top of his Albert Einstein robot, David Hanson also creates fun bots with unique features and eye catching colors. The picture below includes characters with similar features to that of Japanese Manga or Anime characters. Thus, designing robots and their corresponding characters has become an art form.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

As we’ve seen, robotics research can be extremely beneficial for various groups of people. There are times when we may need assistance with certain situations yet only a replica of ourselves would be able to accomplish the necessary outcome. I propose to conduct a project where the ultimate goal is to develop cyborg clones generated from a person’s real DNA. These clones would be created so as to meet any physical or analytical criteria. In addition, one can artistically design the cyborg’s physical appearance based on the donor’s genetics.

Television Example of Robots (must watch)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

In order for our clones to be composed of the proper half robot half human materials and to achieve their goal appearance, DNA manipulation would need to take place. Although we have seen disasters with gene manipulation, such as Marta de Menezes’ butterflies with holes in their wings, please note that the project’s ethical aspects would not likely be questioned. This has to do with the fact that our cyborgs would be created with an inability to feel pain or discomfort. That is, no pain receptors would be generated in the process of creating our clones.

Butterfly With Holes In Its Wings

By Marta de Menezes

Double Helix

PROJECT PROPOSAL

It is evident that many different departments, including Biology, Engineering, and Art/Design, would need to collaborate in order for the project to be a success. For this reason teams would be designated and consist of one person from each department. Although the members of the team would each have their own tasks, many of them would need to work closely together so as to produce positive results. For example, an Artist and a Digital Analyst will sketch pictures of potential cyborgs depending on the host’s features and later create 3D digital models.

3D Model of a Terminator Head (Great Movie!)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Another group of people that would need to work closely together consists of a Biologist / Chemist, an Engineer, and an Artist. They would need to correlate and develop the proper organic or inorganic materials for the cyborg’s body. Only together would they be able to determine the correct combination of molecules to sustain a human size cyborg. They would also need to coordinate the DNA sequencing and biology so as to produce the correct features proportions as they previously designed.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

It is also necessary to develop a link between a Psychologist and a Programmer in order to create cyborg personas with the ability to socialize. The characters developed can be as closely similar to the donor as desired. It can also be altered to be funnier or more logical. In any case, human behavior would be a factor and so a Psychologist would need to give the Programmer guidance.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The last piece of the puzzle consists of the Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) aspect of it or the cyborg’s learning process. Much like in the ‘Sarah Connor Chronicles’ television show where an A.I. is taught various things including language, science, and ethics, we would need to assist our cyborgs in their learning process. We must to ensure that our product does not have any malignant characteristics.

Picture of Sarah Connor

Chronicles A.I. Learning Motor

Skills

CONCLUSION

Fifty years ago, the thought of robots with the ability to show emotion was a fictional story. Today, people like David Hanson are taking the lead in technology breakthroughs by making this fiction a reality. Having the ability to create cyborg clones out of real DNA will be a great advantage for us humans. We would be able to do things like operate a space ship without having to place any person’s life in jeopardy. We should take the lead in the world’s technology race, go for the gold, and make this project a come to life.

The Terminator

[1] “A Brief History of Robot Birds.” My Science Academy. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013 http://myscienceacademy.org/2013/05/26/a-brief-history-of-robot-birds/

[2] “David Hanson: Robots that “show emotion.” Ted Talks. TED Conferences, LLC. Feb. 2009. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. http://www.ted.com/talks/david_hanson_robots_that_relate_to_you.html

[3] “Surrogates (2009) – Official Trailer HD.” YouTube. YouTube. 13 Aug. 2009. Web Video Clip. 08 Dec. 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2SLf0QE1RM

[4] Lopatto, Elizabeth. “DNA Robots Programmed to Kill Cancer Cells, Harvard Study Shows.” Bloomberg. Bloomberg L.P. 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/dna-robots-programmed-to-kill-cancer-cells-harvard-study-shows.html

[5] Anthony, Sebastian. “Harvard creates cyborg flesh that’s half man, half machine.” ExtremeTec. Ziff Davis, Inc. 29 Aug. 2012. Web Article. 08 Dec. 2013. http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/135207-harvard-creates-cyborg-flesh-thats-half-man-half-machine

[6] “Zeno R25.” RoboKind. ROBOKIND: Advance Social Robotics. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. http://www.robokindrobots.com/zeno-r25/

[7] Brown, Baron. “Robot Teachers – Coming soon, to a classroom near you.” The Web Language. University of Illinois. 11 Jul. 2010. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. http://illinois.edu/blog/view/25/30040

WORKS CITED

“Fresh Hotel Athens.” Pinterest. 2013. Web Picture. 08 Dec. 2013. < https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401242648021017380/>

“TedX WoodsHole.” MBL. The Marine Biology Laboratory. 2009. Web Picture. 08 Dec. 2013. <http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/qa-with-android-designer-dr-david-hanson/>

“Surrogates Poster.” Fanpop. Spin Entertainment. 2011. Web Picture. 08 Dec. 2013. <http://www.wannagotothemovies.com/lovefilm-review-surrogates-2009/>

Lopatto, Elizabeth. “DNA Robots Programmed to Kill Cancer Cells, Harvard Study Shows.” Bloomberg. Bloomberg L.P. 16 Feb. 2012. Web Picture. 08 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bloomberg.com/image/i3CfiFKvk2Nc.jpg>

“Meet ZENO R25: the first ‘affordable’ human robot.” The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/10413987/Meet-ZENO-R25-the-first-affordable-human-robot.html>

Owsley, Patrick. “Cartoon Art and More.” BlogSpot. 29 Nov. 2008. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <http://powsley.blogspot.com/2008/11/jetsons.html>

Clone.” The Free Dictionary. Farlex Inc. 2013. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/clone>Park, Alice. “Scientists Report First Success in Cloning Human Stem Cells.” CNN. The Cable News Network. 16 May 2013. Web article and video. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/health/time-cloning-stem-cells/>

DiSalvo, David. “What’s Your DNA Worth?” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC. 22 Nov. 2011. Web Article. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2011/11/22/whats-your-dna-worth/>

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reinert, Birgit. “Asymmetrical Butterfly Wings.” Genome News Network. J. Craig Venter Institute. 28 May 2004. Web Article. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings.php>

Bewo83. “Terminator Head – Cyborg Skull 3D Model” Falling Pixel. Falling Pixel. Web. 2013. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fallingpixel.com/terminator-head-cyborg-skull-3d-model/13227>

Chandanitis. “Little Scientist.” ToonPool. 2013. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/little%20scientist_40087>

Cass, Stephen. “Terminator: Embodied Cognition.” DiscoverMagazine. Kalmbach Publishing Co. 17 Dec. 2008. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/tag/terminator/#.UqvXvvQSiSo>

“Friday Feature: The Terminator Saga.” The Second Disc. Word Press. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://theseconddisc.com/2010/09/03/friday-feature-the-terminator-saga/>

BIBLIOGRAPHY Cont.