Sherman

Working Outline
Intro: There is an inherent instinct among human beings to continuously improve ourselves in
any way we can. We were not given any particular natural physical advantage over our
surroundings, so our ability manipulate tools has really been the only thing that has allowed us to
survive and now, prosper. While not truly essential for survival anymore, the development of
tools is a continuous and natural effort in our society fueled by our will to live and live longer.
Bionics, though a relatively new field in the scope of the development of human manipulation of
resources, is a perfect microcosm for the progression of tool utilization among humans that
demonstrates the desire to improve ourselves and our lives. However, where bionics and other
newer methods of tool manipulation differ from previous methods is in the magnitude the
consequences of pursuing such manipulation has on humanity's future. Many think we are
extremely close to developing human immortality, and the question must be asked, is there a
limit to how far we can, and should go? Its clear that we cannot reverse the path we have
traveled so far along, and that there is no undiscovering the knowledge that has brought us to
where we are, but there is something to say about ethical considerations and how we should
proceed in a way that would yield benefits, instead of consequences, for society.
Thesis: In this paper, I will argue that while the path we have embarked on will in all likelihood
lead us towards a future heavily influenced by biotechnology, the dynamic of this future is
dependent upon our ability to recognize the ethical dilemmas that accompany innovation in
bionics today and our willingness to proceed with caution and consideration.
I.

Background/History 4 pg
A. Initial Human Use and Dependance on Tools For Survival
1. The urge to improve upon the human body is at
least as old as our species. what was the edge that allowed us not only
to survive but to dominate the placet? We used other objects. We now call
it technology. (Benford & Malartre 13, 14)
2. The ancient Greeks were among the earliest
pioneers to simulate living beings through movement. ( Perkowitz 52-54)
3. It is a commonplace that humans are
distinguished from other creatures by a technological ability, and man has
often been described as a tool-using animal. (Gascoigne World History
online)
4. Possibly need a little more on this.
B. Early Bionics; Technological Innovation and Early Use of Tools
1. Scientists and laypeople alike understood more
and more about electricity asw the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
progressed discovery or a new principle of electromagnetics by Michael
Faraday that resulted in construction and advancement of hundreds of

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II.

electrical devices (Perkowitz 63) knowledge leading to bionics

innovation*
2. Throughout our long journey from the African
veldt, our use of technology has enabled us to colonize so many different
environments on the planet that we now inhabit all but the deep ocean
floors. Our most recent technology is electronic (Benford & Malartre 15)
our progression*
3. Both functional and cosmetic rehabilitation were
recognized in the early virtual history of bionic beings. (Perkowitz 87,
88)
4. Again, possibly a little more on very early and
rudimentary bionics/tool manipulation
C. Introduction of New Bionics, Technology Included
1. This is the age of biomechatronics, a time where
mechanics and electronics can interact with human muscle, skeleton, and
nervous systems to assist or replace limbs, senses, and even organs
damaged by trauma, birth defects, or disease. (Brooker (2012))
2. He defined bionics as the science of machines and
systems that work in the manner of living things, the science and
engineering of cyborgs (Kline, 384 (2009))
3. Bionics is not only the blending of biological
science and electronics, but involves other diverse fields. (Thomson, 61
(1963))
4. No evolutionary process is ever a predictable and
orderly affair; therefore, man's adaptation of nature's methods can seldom
be categorically summarized as direct analogs of identical biological
manifestation observed in the product of nature. Unquestionably, bionic
endeavor will attempt, in the future, to duplicate, rectify, and adapt
interesting principles observed in biological systems to creative
possibilities in electronics and mechanics. Man, indeed, need not evolve
further (although it is likely that he will), for he will continue in the future
to change his environment or create devices to accomplish best what he
considers ideal. Considering advances made to date in the field of bionics,
the future may well be as different from the present as the present is
different from the past. (Thomson, 68 (1963)) FIRST NOTION IN
BIONICS THAT WE NO LONGER NEED TO CHANGE.
5. Development of bionics exoskeletons by Ephrahim
Garcia, manager of the DARPA program and his team in the early 2000s.
(Weiss 407-408)
Where We Are Now
3 pg
A. Bionics History/ Progression in the Past Decade

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1. A lower-extremity exoskeleton robot can be used

to increase a person's payload capacity and endurance. The Berkeley
Lower-Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX) is an example of such a device.
(Wheeler 3)
2. Proportional EMG Control of Ankle Plantar
Flexion in a Powered Transtibial Prosthesis (Grabowski, Herr 15 MIT
Media Lab)
3. Innovative developments in hand and leg
prosthetics, such as sense of touch, enhanced mobility, and improved
strength/reflexes; seen in a variety of sources (Media Lab, Connolly 08,
Touch Bionics, Italian Labs; See Bib)
4. Todays prostheses boast battery-powered knee
joints to allow for easy movement, something like power steering
(Benford & Malartre 25)
5. Neural Control; the most developed system is FES
for functional electrical stimulation(Benford & Malartre 31 07) people
can think to move their paralyzed or mechanical parts.. The start of this
comes from here, get much more advanced-see below.
6. Same information as both above from another
source. ( Perkowitz 99 04)
B. 2016: On the Forefront of Human Innovation and Exploration in
Biotech
1. Exoskeleton development for various purposes and
by various people
a) Suit x: develop the technology
aimed at developing accessible bionic products in three markets:
medical, industrial, and defense (SuitX website)
b) MIT Media Lab: The
Biomechatronics Group seeks to use exoskeletons to decrease the
metabolic burden associated with running, thereby increasing
endurance and achievable distance. Relieving human energy
exertion. (Grabowski, Herr web page)
c) Hyundai: multitude of purposes,
including increasing strength, mobility for the elderly, to make
walking easier, and help those with spinal cord injuries walk
again. (Muoio, Business Insider)
2. Mimicking biological limb functionality with new
prosthetic designs (Banks, U.K)
3. faster, seamless interface between biological and
mechanical systems, including improved neural control tech. (Herr, Kuan
page/ Ron Riso, Katherine Song, Hugh Herr page)

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4. CU Boulder Bionic Lab innovation (Biomech

Website)
Possible need for more diverse sources here
III.
Where Were Going 1-2 pg
A. Analytical Predictions for the Future Based off of Historical
Trends and Where We are Now
1. It won't be long before we all number synthetic
creatures among our friends the inevitability of it. (Perkowitz 228)
2. Will augmented people have longer lives? Even
obvious mechanical aids like better legs and hips could prevent
devastating falls among the elderly we have no true idea of an upper
limit on life span immortality? (Benford & Malartre 107, 101)
3. Stronger and faster and better, direct link to ethics
Need more here- another section? though I think it can be part where I can offer a lot of
my own ideas, sources would still strengthen
IV. Ethics to Consider 5 pg
A. Biological Reliance on Technology with Fusion of Systems
1. With exoskeletons to limit human stress when
moving, underdevelopment of muscles may be a big problem. Yet to find
source supporting this, except sort of: One final area of concern is that
people will elect to replace healthy organic parts with bionic components
either to augment their abilities or out of a psychological desire or need to
do so. Science fiction, such as the above mentioned Cyberpunk, has
explored these problems and even come up with a name for the mental
illness caused by a person becoming more machine than human:
cyberpsychosis. (LaBossiere online)
2. Another area of moral concern is the
weaponization of bionic devices (LaBossiere online): Not sure yet what
to do, pursue military ethics- of the world instead, theres some on that
Ive found, or keep looking
3. Perfectly healthy people dan augment their
abilities of lifespans at their whim
B. How Technological Innovation Could Permanently Alter Human
Comparison; The Increasing Inequality and Equality Among us
1. Sportsa) There is, however, the concern
about devices that are inferior to the originalthese would put an
athlete at a disadvantage and could warrant special categories in
sports to allow for fair competition. Some of these categories
already exist and more should be expected in the future.
(LaBossiere online)
b) Proquest source inaccessible ATM.

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c) The Paralympic Games in 2012

raised the profile of high-performance disability and the question
of the unfair advantages technology can create (Meyer online)
2. If we become a worldwide society with members
having a range of skills, both artificial and natural, how will they
blend? (Benford & Malartre 221)
3. Cant find the source that says if we all embrace
bionics we will all become the same- sort of a good segue into next section
C. What is the Line that Separates Human from Machine?
1. We take our biological body for granted, for the
most part unaware of how it shapes our thoughts (Benford & Malartre
110)
2. I think therefore I am -Descartes: Humans and
animals are nothing more than machines (Perkowitz 55)
3. I have some unfound things floating around about
this- I think it will be a large part of the ethics- able to debate. Some
things say any machine is no human etc. NEED MORE
This whole section will need more research; This is where the debate comes in, right vs
wrong so I need to do more research; main part of paper
V. Caution When Proceeding 3-4 pg
A. The Inevitability of our Path
1. Maybe put in things about benefits and say how we
will not just stop- have the chance to make the world amazing; help/ quest
for immortality
2. Need more on this
B. Why our Decisions are the Ones that Will Shape the Future
1. Need sources about this age being pivotal- or just
show tech is at cross roads dangerously close to immortality (Hubert
17)
C. Consideration in Decisions, Looking at Ethics and How they
Should Influence us
1. I think the real challenge for us as we move into
the future is over who is going to control what we construct for ourselves.
We could ultimately create a world that isn't what we thought it would be
(Benford & Malartre 235)
2. ...humans can yet hope to complete this
astonishing journey (Perkowitz 218)
This whole section will DEFINITELY need more research; main part of paper see above
VI.
Relate to all tech? 1 pg
Im not sure if ill do this yet, if so I need to do research for the entire section: I don't
have any At The Moment
A. Our World and Reliance

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VII.

B. Bionics Is a Microcosm
C. We Need to be Adventurous, but at the Same Time, Careful
1. Environmental concern worked in here
Conclusion
1-2 pg