Who’s afraid of a synthetic human?

If we can enhance our species - make it live longer and resist disease - we should do it

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article3949986.ece

Could robots take over the world?

In many ways they already have...


http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid61912.aspx

We All Root for Amputees—Until They Win Medals

Leg Up


The emerging supremacy of artificial limbs.



http://www.slate.com/id/2191801/

Robot 'conducts' orchestra for first time

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1954704/Robot-%27conducts%27-orchestra-for-first-time.html

Is Technology Ruining Children?

http://www.rense.com/general81/techh.htm

Technology is moulding a generation of children unable
to think for themselves or empathise with others,
says the leading brain scientist Susan Greenfield.
Is it time to switch off?

By John Cornwell
The Sunday Times - UK
4-30-8

Honda ASIMO Serves coffee DEMO

New wi-fi devices warn doctors of heart attacks

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3883082.ece

"The Bluetooth wireless technology that allows people to use a hands-free earpiece while making a mobile telephone call could soon alert the emergency services when someone has a heart attack, Ofcom predicts.

The communications regulator said that sensors could be implanted into people at risk of heart attack or diabetic collapse that would allow doctors to monitor them remotely.

If the “in-body network” recorded that the person had suddenly collapsed, it would send an alert, via a nearby base station at their home, to a surgery or hospital.

However, Ofcom also gave warning in its report, Tomorrow’s Wireless World, that the impact of such technology on personal privacy would require more debate."

Dawn of the superhumans?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3861076.ece

Ethical concerns

extract from Times Online article:

"There are many ethical concerns about enhancement. Most are about fairness, particularly in relation to competitive sport or exams. But there are darker worries. If a brain implant was shown to control mood, could you force a violent criminal to have one? If many had mood-enhancing implants, could someone override their individual controls and thus control them all? And there are always two sides to the many coins in the enhancement debate. For instance, chemicals called ampakines can enhance memory, but some would rather take drugs that prevent rather than enhance memory formation, such as those who work in stressful situations or those who have been subjected to trauma. What if soldiers were forced to take such drugs? "

Real-Life iron man - a robot suit that magnifies human strength

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=real-life-iron-man-exoskeleton