See, for example, Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Executive Summary,” in Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., eds., NBIC Convergence for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (Dordrecht/Boston/London: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003): ix–xiii; Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Id., 1–27; Roco, M. C. and Montemagno, C. D., “Preface,” in Roco, M. C. and Montemagno, C. D., eds., “The Coevolution of Human Potential and Converging Technologies,” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1013 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 2004): vii–viii, available at <http://www.annalsnyas.org> (last visited August 29, 2006); Roco, M. C., “Science and Technology Integration for Increased Human Potential and Societal Outcomes,” in Id., 1–16.Google Scholar

The first of these NBIC workshops was entitled “Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance.” Organized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Commerce (DOC) it was held December 3–4, 2001 at the NSF in Virginia. The contributions made at this workshop were published in a report with the same title: Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., eds., NBIC Convergence for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (Dordrecht/Boston/London: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003). The second NBIC workshop was held February 5–7, 2003 in Los Angeles. A selection of this workshop's papers appeared in a second volume: Roco, M. C. and Montemagno, C. D., eds., “The Coevolution of Human Potential and Converging Technologies,” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1013 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 2004). Available at <http://www.annalsnyas.org> (last visited August 29, 2006). Finally, two further NBIC workshops were held in New York City February 25–27, 2004 and in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, February 23–25, 2005. As a result further edited volumes focusing on NBIC convergence are to be expected. Quickly after the publication of the first report, the idea of improving human performance by means of NBIC convergence triggered a considerable variety of international critical reactions. In the US, however, the idea that NBIC convergence should be furthered and used for improving human performance seems to have attained broad acceptance as an inspiring regulative idea within large parts of the nanotechnology community.Google Scholar

For example, the authors claim that “we stand at the threshold of a new renaissance in science and technology.” Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 1. Moreover, “the sciences have reached a watershed.” Id., at 2. There are “paradigm changes,” Roco, M. C., “Science and Technology Integration for Increased Human Potential and Societal Outcomes,” in Roco, and Montemagno, supra note 2, at 12, and we can expect to see “revolutionary changes in technology, economy, and society, as well as human potential,” Id. In addition, it is stated that “at this unique moment in the history of technical achievement, improvement of human performance becomes possible.” Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 3. Finally, it is argued that converging technologies will bring about a “turning point in the evolution of human society.” Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Executive Summary,” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2.Google Scholar

After all, NBIC convergence will enable us to deal with all manner of future challenges by “substantially enhancing human mental, physical, and social abilities.” Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 3. Moreover, converging technologies will not only initiate “a new renaissance”, Id., at 13, but also determine “a tremendous improvement in human abilities, societal outcomes, the nation's productivity, and the quality of life.” Roco, supra note 3, at 2. Finally, converging technologies will bring about “world peace, universal prosperity and an evolution to a higher level of compassion and accomplishment.” Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 6.Google Scholar

Ancient man, for example, operated with the regulative idea of “becoming like God” (homoiosis theoi). This regulative idea originated in the teachings of the Orphic religion.Google Scholar

The Franciscan monk Roger Bacon (1214–1294) was a notable exception. As early as the 13th century he fantasized about ships without oarsmen, wagons that could move by themselves and machines which could fly through the air.Google Scholar

See for example Fossel, M., Reversing Human Aging (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1996); Kaku, M., Visions: How Science will Revolutionize the 21st Century (New York: Anchor Books/Doubleday, 1997); Kurzweil, R., The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence (New York: The Viking Press, 1999); Schwartz, W. B., Life Without Disease: The Pursuit of Medical Utopia (Berkeley, Los Angeles & London: University of California Press, 1998); Silver, L. M., Remaking Eden: Cloning and Beyond in a Brave New World (New York: Avon Books, 1997).Google Scholar

See for example Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., “Overview. Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC),” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 2 and 13. Another proponent of NBIC convergence in the same volume, however, seems to use the word “convergence” as something that is the direct opposite of reductionism. Canton, J., “The Impact of Convergent Technologies and the Future of Business and the Economy,” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 72.Google Scholar

There are several well-known examples of cross-fertilization or synergism between NBIC disciplines. For example, progress in computing has enabled the rapid sequencing of the human genome as well as the swift development of new neuroimaging technologies. Vice versa, progress in genetics and neuroscience is stimulating computer science by furthering the development of DNA computers and artificial neural networks.Google Scholar

Lee Silver, for example, coined the word “reprogenetics,” a discipline based upon the cross-fertilization and synergism between the traditional fields of reproduction medicine and genetics. He assumes that in the nearby future reprogenetics will enable many new options (for example by means of germ line interventions) for the enhancement of human performance. Silver, supra note 7. Apart from that, the specific idea of NBIC synergy seems to have been clearly anticipated in Antón, P. S. Siberglitt, R. and Schneider, J., The Global Technology Revolution. Bio/Nano/Materials Trends and Their Synergies with Information Technology by 2015 (Santa Monica, CA and Arlington, VA: RAND, 2001) available at <http://www.rand.org/> (last visited August 29, 2006).Google Scholar

Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 7.Google Scholar

Spohrer, J., “NBICS (Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno-Socio) Convergence to Improve Human Performance: Opportunities and Challenges,” in Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 2, at 110.Google Scholar

Direct links from brain to brain would depend upon a greatly improved understanding of how thoughts are formulated in the brain. Otherwise every interface would be through the senses (i.e. one might see scrolling in front of their eyes, a download of information, but this would need to be read as with any other visual data).Google Scholar

Roco, and Bainbridge, supra note 8, at 6.Google Scholar

Id.Google Scholar