The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology

by Ray Kurzweil

A hybrid scenario involving both bio- and nanotechnology contemplates turning biological cells into computers. These “enhanced intelligence” cells can then detect and destroy cancer cells and pathogens or even regrow human body parts. Princeton biochemist Ron Weiss has modified cells to incorporate a variety of logic functions that are used for basic computation.54 Boston University’s Timothy Gardner has developed a cellular logic switch, another basic building block for turning cells into computers.55 Scientists at the MIT Media Lab have developed ways to use wireless communication to send messages, including intricate sequences of instructions, to the computers inside modified cells.56 Weiss points out that “once you have the ability to program cells, you don’t have to be constrained by what the cells know how to do already. You can program them to do new things, in new patterns.”