The Ethics of Artificial Life Essay

This again shows the aforementioned duality of scientific research, and just what is risked when scientists are discouraged from discovery. Another field of science that brings up this issue of moral responsibility is cloning. As a field that is currently being furthered, it is perfect to illustrate the risks of placing full moral responsibility on the scientists. There are undoubtedly negative practical and moral implications and applications to cloning. Numerous works in literature and film have explored them. These include the film The Island, which brings therapeutic cloning to the extreme, with clones being grown in order to later be harvested for whatever their template may need. The TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars deals heavily with the moral issues regarding the creation of clones as soldiers, their dehumanization and the removal of their free will. The film Moon presents a similar situation, with clone workers rather than soldiers. To a smaller extent, Jurassic Park does so as well,

Medical advancements are very important for extending the quality and quantity of life, however a strong moral compass is needed to make sure, in the name of science, ethical and moral science are not crossed. Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, and the movie Gattaca propose a technologically advanced society that challenges these ethical and moral views. Although Brave New World and Gattaca relate in the aspect of genetic discrimination, they differ in the limits and powers of technology and the effects of human spirit.

When someone brings up the term “artificial intelligence”, a variety of connotations tend to arise, connotations that often are unfair or unrepresentative of the true real-world applications of such a term. Due to the incidentally fear-mongering nature of the media, artificial intelligence can refer to something as basic as a robotic arm in a factory, as well as the implied extinction and/or enslavement of the human race as caused by robo-revolution. As of today, however, when applied in the world of modern technology, artificial intelligence is defined as any innovation that performs a task usually completed by humans. Of course, with this definition, artificial intelligence holds the potential for both societal harm and benefit, and its fate

One field of genetic science which is crucial in society today is medicine where cloning is now possible. The need for moral reasoning is essential in this field because with greater power society must “[recognize] not only the limits of our knowledge but also our vulnerability to being misguided” with an evolving world (Dalai Lama 140). Humans have kept high moral responsibilities over the century when faced with new developments in knowledge. The Dalai Lama suggests that “our technological capacity has reached a critical point” during the past decade and the gap between knowledge and human ethics when making decisions has grown farther apart as new biogenetic science has arose (133). The issue is not whether

Life extensions are critically dependent on futuristic medical advancements. However, a strong noble compass is needed to ensure scientific advancements do not cross moral ethics of life. Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, and the movie Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, propose technologically advanced societies that challenge ethical and moral views. Although Brave New World and Gattaca relate in genetic discrimination, they differ in technology’s powers and limits, as well as the resiliency of the human spirit.

Ethics throughout science are very controversial as they are the model of distinguishing between right and wrong throughout all aspects of research. Throughout Honeybee Democracy and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks we are given an insider’s perspective into the ethics, or the lack there of, regarding the ongoing research and the researchers conducting it. Although the books cover very different subject matter, there are divisions of their research and within their individual ethics that are almost indistinguishable.

As Mankind continues to advance it is pursuit of knowledge, it is faced with myriad dilemmas, particularly in the cases of cloning, stem cell experimentation, and the genetic sequencing of viruses and pathogens. The academic article “Bioterrorism, Embryonic Stem Cells, and Frankenstein” written by Patrick Guinan, discusses the morality and potential hubris of sciences continued exploration of seemingly forbidden areas, as well as humanities identity and potential desire to achieve knowledge to rival God. Guinan 's research aims to explore, question, and ultimately bring light to the potential issues that may arise from such pursuits. This research raises several questions, as well as causes of concern, which will all be addressed in this essay. The author of this article makes use of intelligent analysis, evidence from ages both recent and ancient, and well thought out discourse, in order to cause readers to consider just what ethics and morality is to science, as well as what it is to our identity as humanity as a whole.

The act of cloning a human being comes dangerously close to human beings acting as God. Do human beings have the right to tamper with nature in this way? This essay explores the various ethical issues related to the cloning debate, and seeks answers to this deep philosophical question at the heart of bioethics. As a student of genetic biology and future biologist, this question also has personal relevance. Our science is evolving at a rapid pace. As human cloning becomes increasingly possible, it is important that we analyze the ethics of cloning so that judicious public policy can be created. It is therefore my position that research into cloning should continue to fulfill the fundamental goals of scientific exploration and to explore the possibilities that cloning might have in terms of benefitting human society; on the other hand, there are certainly ethical limits to the practice of cloning. It is important to define those ethical limits, so that scientists understand the best ways to proceed.

As society progresses, we are having more and more control over the human brain. Science is perceived as a naturally neutral ground when it comes to ethics, their discoveries are completely dependent on knowledge as opposed to what’s right and what’s wrong, which does, and will continue to raise the ongoing question of how far we’re willing to go. “Science can only ascertain what is, but not what should be,” Albert Einstein said, “and outside of its domain value, judgments of all kinds remain necessary.” Though flying cars and robots have always seemed so far in the future, it seems that these huge advances of technology overthrowing our common morals and ethics is rapidly approaching.

The ethical debate concerning biotechnological exploration into genetic cloning has created a monster in itself. A multitude of ethical questions arises when considering the effect of creating a genetically engineered human being. Does man or science have the right to create life through unnatural means? Should morality dictate these technological advancements and their effects on society? The questions and concerns are infinite, but so to are the curiosities, which continue to perpetuate the advancement of biotechnological science. In order to contemplate the effects that science can have on our society we can look back in history and literature to uncover the potentiality of our future

In Life, Liberty and the Defense of Dignity, author Leon Kass argues that technology, although marvelous for what it permits us to achieve, has and may continue to threaten human flourishing. He argues that, many of our technological advancements have become a substitution for the development of our human capabilities (para. 22). Kass bolsters his argument by engaging readers with a comprehensive dialogue about the issues of technology. Though Kass does cover a number of issues in this book, they all specifically focus on the issues concerning biotechnology. Kass dedicates chapter 4 of Life, Liberty and the Defense of Dignity to inquire about the “moral meaning of the entire enterprise of genetic technology” (Leon Kass, 121).

The society has evolved over the decades. Medical advances, greater technologies, better understanding of the world around us, the sky is the limit! The progression of a society is astounding from where it was just twenty years ago. One is able to do things that the forefathers would have never dreamed! Science has discovered ways to travel to the moon and back, reach some of the deepest depths of the oceans and discover new species, and drive hybrid cars. The achievements of today’s society have reached a new high; however, with great achievement comes great questions of ethics.

Embryonic stem cells research has challenged the moral ethics within human beings simply because the point at which one is considered a “human,” is still under debate and practically incapable to make a decision upon.

Throughout its history, artificial intelligence has always been a topic with much controversy. Should human intelligence be mimicked? If so, are there ethical bounds on what computers should be programmed to do? These are a couple of question that surround the artificial intelligence controversy. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of artificial intelligence so that you will be able to make an educated decision on the issue.

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