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Cybernetics and the Future of Humanity


Cybernetics is a broad spectrum which looks into many things but I want to specifically highlight the science of living things. This is because of the way we are currently developing and adapting to all the technology around us. By looking at how the technology links with humans we can see how to better the digital systems to the biological systems. There are many human factors which can affect how we can change the future of humanity, such as Connections, Communities and also Customisation. These factors are something that can become a subject of the next stage of technical development. 

As well as looking at the human factors of cybernetics I also wanted to look into biotechnologies and see how we can digitally modify them. Smith simply puts together the definition of what biotechnology is. "The word biotechnology was used to cover the interaction of biology with technology, connoting all productions by means of biological transformations." (Smith J. 2009). When biotechnologies are concerned, the production of wine and cheese is just the tip of the ice-burg. Antibiotics, organic acids and monoclonal antibodies are also opening up to biotechnology influence which leads me to tell you about CRISPR CAS9. 

CRISPR CAS9 is ground breaking technology which is upcoming in the biotechnology market. You are able to edit, cut and manipulate genes and this video explains the technology behind the claims that CAS9 makes. Simply put, CRISPR CAS9 could potentially change the way we look at diseased or mutated cells, which is potentially life changing. This is just one example of what is capable when cybernetics is concerned.

NHS is also using new technologies in bionic eye surgeries, they can replace someone’s damaged retina with a new bionic retina, therefore repairing someone’s sight. A report on their website reads; “For patients with RP who have profound vision loss, the long-term benefits of this technology in restoring some useful vision can be life-changing.” (Moor. NHS 2016). This shows that where we are currently with these technologies I feel that we are going in the right direction.
(Cardinal, 2018)

As well as bionics implants being implemented into medical practice, mixed reality is also just starting to be used in medicine. AR and VR technologies now being used on real procedures. “AR has the potential of providing a heads-up display, giving vital information to surgeons overlaid on the patient.”  (Novella, 2018). VR is also being used to help detect veins and delicate surgeries. 

For me personally, I think that because all this technology is being recognised it is a huge step in the right direction for the future of humans.  The fact everyone is accepting the future and realising the possibilities of the combination of science and technologies it shows that the industry I want to go into is only just setting off. There is a place in society for these upcoming technologies to be developed meaning there are more job opportunities for people who are interested in digitalising the future of life and sciences, like me.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

 Cardinal, D. (2018). VR and Now AR Medical Solutions Are Gaining Ground in Hospitals - ExtremeTech. [online] ExtremeTech. Available at: https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/267078-vr-and-now-ar-medical-solutions-are-gaining-ground-in-hospitals [Accessed for Image 19 Oct. 2018]. 

Howarth, D. (2017). 'Biotech is the new digital' says MIT Media Lab founder. DEZEEN. [online] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2017/04/24/biotech-is-the-new-digital-nicholas-negroponte-mit-media-lab-being-material/ [Accessed 16/10/18].

 Moorfields.nhs.uk. (2016). NHS England to fund Bionic Eye Surgery. [online] Available at: https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/news/nhs-england-fund-bionic-eye-surgery [Accessed 16 Oct. 2018].

 Nature Video (2017). CRISPR: Gene Editing and Beyond. [Online Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YKFw2KZA5o&feature=youtu.be [Accessed 14/10/18]

Novella, S. (2018). Augmented Reality in Medicine. [online] Science-Based Medicine. Available at: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/augmented-reality-in-medicine/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].

 Smith, J. (2009). A Concise History of Biotechnology - Some key Determinants. BIOTECHNOLOGY, [online] 1.  Available at: https://www.eolss.net/Sample-Chapters/C17/E6-58-01-11.pdf [Accessed 16/10/18].




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