The Singularity Focus

Tenth in the PE Series, Reviewing Chapter Nine

Genetic Armageddon by John McTernan explores some of the themes of previous chapters and focuses on the Singularity which he defines as "The merging of man's biological thinking and existence with technology to the point that there is no distinction between human and machine…

"In simple terms, it means that man and machines have become interchangeable. Thus when the biological and technical have merged, then Singularity will have been achieved." (p 277)

He wants readers to understand what is happening in science today and to be able to relate it to Bible prophecy. This chapter is online on McTernan's website. He also has a blog to Defend and Proclaim the Faith.

Again, exploring links from McTernan's research and footnotes, I found articles that help us understand the trends of the times. Let's look at some of these. The referenced article on the left was written about 6 years ago. The ones on the right are current. We can see how technology moves apace, and wonder how our world and humanity may be different in another 5-10 years!

In 2012, a story on Mail Online, "The cyborgs are coming! Living brains implanted with electronic chips to replace 'faulty' parts" reported on a robotic interface between body and brain developed by Tel Aviv University researchers. Today the Singularity is promoted as a way to eternal life.

Isn't it noble to cure people with brain damage, Parkinson's or macular degeneration? These things are exciting and wonderful, but what about soldiers enhanced to have superior advantages? What about policeman? What about elitists who want greater control over common people? Can the move to Singularity advance their powers? Who pays for the research? Who will be crushed rather than healed?

On the verge of becoming... God?

Eighth in the PE Series, Reviewing Chapter Seven

Want to see a video of pigs that glow in the dark? Click. "The pigs are transgenic, created by adding genetic material from jellyfish into a normal pig embryo." [Original report] How do the pigs feel about this?

Another example of genetic tampering is the creation of human-spider goats whose milk can be treated to produce spider silk.

This and lots more information was shared in Chapter Seven of Pandemonium's Engine, Man Becoming His Own God? by Douglas Hamp, who asks: "Should planetary supremacy entitle the human race to inflict inhumane, unnatural acts upon any sub-intellectual life-form for financial gain?" Learn more about Douglas and his presentations on his blogsite.

In the process of following leads given in his chapter, I came across some interesting quotations:
"The most powerful code is no longer a string of 1s and 0s." - "DNA Space. The Geography of the Genome," WIRED, June 2003
Definition of Life Sciences: "The science of using living organisms and/or their constituent parts to replace or augment products or processes. Life Science products include fuels, chemicals, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, clothing, plastics and building materials." from https://www.biotechonomy.com
From the arstechnica.com website, quoted by Hamp on p 240:

Humanity is on the verge of becoming a new and utterly unique species, which [Juan Enriquez, Biotechonomy CEO] dubs Homo Evolutis. What makes this species so unique is that it "takes direct and deliberate control over the evolution of the species." Calling it the "ultimate reboot," he points to the conflux of DNA manipulation and therapy, tissue generation, and robotics as making this great leap possible.

We are already in the midst of minor improvements to the human body and mind; Enriquez gave examples of growing new tissues for successful transplant, programmable cells, and augmenting our abilities through robotics. As this trend accelerates, more and more aspects of the human experience, of the human life, will be capable of scientific manipulation. While some improvement may come post-birth, our understanding of DNA and biology may lead to something much bigger.

Hamp points out that chimeras are being invented. A chimera is a hybrid creature that is part human, part animal. Though many genomic discoveries in the biosciences are marvelous and helpful, others are dark and should never be permitted. He ends his chapter with this thought:

Man now possesses the power, via transgenics and transhumanism, to direct his own evolution. Tinkering with his code at the genetic level (DNA) is not only possible, but is currently being done. Strange animal hybrids are being made in the laboratory and even humans with animals are being experimented with; man is certainly open to improving himself in any way possible… Could the science of transhumanism and transgenics play a role in the rise of the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast? Could technology allow Satan to create one from his own seed as Genesis 3:15 predicts? Satan's end game has been in the making now for many decades and will very soon be put into play.

That is a concept or definition of "seed" that I had not thought of. Several of the PE authors understand demonic "seed" as transhuman types of creatures, those not fully human but genetically altered. Yet, you do not need to have your DNA changed to belong to Satan and be his child. Just turn your back on God. You will be Satan's seed.

Angel fish
Public Domain, Link

...and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind ... the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind ...the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1

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A SistersSite eBook

Flesh and Bone and The Protestant Conscience is an e-book on Amazon.com. It is 99¢ and in the Amazon lending library as well. It is also available here in PDF format. The book description follows.

Would you let your conscience be your guide?

Does God care if the skin and bone of the dead are passed along to the living for medical uses? Is organ donation OK with God? Should you sign a Living Will?

Did you know that dead organ donors are often anesthetized before their organs are removed? Do you know the current definition of death? The conscience cannot function without facts.

As we ponder the ethics of in vitro fertilization, stem cell research and man-made chimeras, our thoughts trail off. How then should we live? (Ez 33:10)

How should a Christian think about euthanasia by starvation when doctors and the state attorney general all agree it is time to withhold feeding from a brain injured patient? Some things are family matters, but someday it may be our family.

Here is a small book to help you think about whether you want to sign your driver's license, donate a kidney, cremate your loved one, and many other practical questions that may arise in the course of your healthcare decisions or watch over others.

It offers a special focus on the doctrine of the Resurrection that is related to such decisions. Sunday School classes and Bible Study groups could use this book to facilitate discussion about the issues covered.