Cyborg (cybernetic organism)

A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial components. The term cyborg is short for cybernetic organism. Although frequently depicted as beings that have advanced abilities thanks to technology and are in some way physically or mentally superior to the average human, real cyborgs are simply people who rely on cybernetic technology to overcome a disability or constraint. Since the idea was first described in the 1960s, cyborgs have become a common fixture of popular culture in film, television, writing, and other mediums. In more recent years, cyborgs have started to become a reality, with a growing number of people around the world embracing cyborg technology in real-life applications. This includes the use of various prosthetics and implants that improve quality of life or otherwise enhance one’s natural abilities. Some scientific theorists even view the rise of cyborgs and cybernetics as the next stage of human evolution.

Background

The term cyborg was first coined by scientists Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline in a 1960 paper. The pair used the word in reference to a rat they fitted with a special osmotic pump designed to control the injection of various chemicals under its skin. At the time, Clynes and Kline were part of the American space program and were researching the possibility of biochemically, electronically, and physiologically modifying human astronauts so as to improve their ability to function in space. In fact, the scientific field of cybernetics, which is the study of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living beings, was primarily tied to space exploration and defense in the 1950s and 1960s. Most research in the field centered on concepts like human augmentation and bionics and was funded by the US military and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Among other things, the goal of this research was to determine the feasibility of using technological augmentation to improve the sensory abilities, intelligence, and decision-making of human pilots and astronauts and in high pressure situations like combat flying or space exploration.

As these ideas became more familiar to the general public, cybernetics and cyborgs quickly came to capture people’s imagination. As a result, cybernetics and cyborgs soon emerged as a common theme in popular culture. For obvious reasons, this was particularly true in the realm of science fiction. A diverse array of cyborg characters have appeared in an equally wide range of science fiction works over the years. Some early examples include the villainous Daleks and Cybermen from Doctor Who and the evil Darth Vader of Star Wars fame. Other notable examples of cyborgs in science fiction include the Borg from Star Trek, the replicant Roy Batty from Blade Runner, and Steve Austin from The Six Million Dollar Man. Cyborgs have also appeared in popular culture outside of science fiction. Some cyborg characters from popular non–science fiction films and television shows include Dr. Julius No from the James Bond film Dr. No, Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man franchise, and Inspector Gadget from the children’s television series of the same name.

Overview

Real-life cyborgs are much less fantastical than their fictional counterparts. Most true cyborg technologies are medical in nature. Medical cyborg technologies fall into one of two categories: restorative and enhancing. Restorative cyborg technologies serve either to replace lost limbs or organs or to restore lost functions. Enhancing cyborg technologies serve to improve a person’s physical or mental abilities without actually replacing any existing organic parts or functions. Some examples of the types of cyborg technologies commonly used in modern medicine include prosthetic limbs, artificial hearts, and retinal implants.

Cyborg technology also has military applications. Most military research into cyborg technology is focused on the development of cyborg animals designed to provide some sort of tactical advantage on the battlefield or in other situations. For example, one group of researchers unveiled the world’s first wireless flying-insect cyborg at a micro-electronic mechanical systems conference in 2009. Researchers have also developed remote-controlled beetles. These and other cyborg insects could be used to carry out a wide array of tactical operations that would be impossible for human soldiers.

Human cyborgization has advanced considerably over time. Researchers have developed a whole host of cutting-edge cyborg innovations that have helped push the boundaries of what is possible when technology is integrated with the human body. Among these are a number of high-tech prosthetics that go well beyond simple plastic or metal replacements for lost limbs. The LUKE Arm, for example, is a sophisticated arm prosthetic that actually provides the user with a sense of touch. A specialized motor within the LUKE Arm generates feedback that accurately mimics the resistance one encounters when lifting objects. The Bebionic Hand is a similarly advanced prosthetic. The Bebionic Hand is equipped with an array of small, highly sensitive motors that allow for movement of every joint along every digit so as to reproduce the movement of a real hand as accurately as possible. Software engineer Zac Vawter developed a breakthrough mind-controlled bionic leg in 2012. Vawter’s bionic leg utilizes special technology that translates brain signals into physical movement.

Some forms of cyborgization that restore nonphysical functions have also been pioneered. In 2002, a man named Jens Naumann who lost his sight after a pair of separate accidents underwent a clinical trial during which a special television camera was attached to his brain. This unique device provided Naumann with a rudimentary form of vision that allowed him to see the shapes and outlines of things around him.

One of the first people to be formally called a cyborg was activist Neil Harbisson. Born without the ability to see color, Harbisson made the bold decision to attach an electronic antenna to the base of his skull that turns the frequency of light into vibrations his brain interprets as sound. Once installed in 2004, this antenna effectively allowed Harbisson to hear colors. Harbisson ran into legal problems when the British government subsequently took issue with the fact that the antenna was visible in his passport photo. Harbisson’s eventual victory in the ensuing court battle represented an important step forward for the emerging issue of cyborg rights. As cyborg technology becomes more commonplace, the specific legal rights of people with cyborg implants or prosthetics are likely to become an increasingly pressing civil rights concern.

Bibliography

Llewellyn Smith, Caspar. “50 Years of Cyborgs.” Guardian, 2 Oct 2010, www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/oct/03/50-years-cyborgs. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

Madrigal, Alexis C. “The Man Who Fist Said ‘Cyborg,’ 50 Years Later.” Atlantic, 30 Sept. 2010, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/09/the-man-who-first-said-cyborg-50-years-later/63821. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

Narcisse, Evan. “Iconic Bionics: 11 of the Best Cyborg Superhumans in Pop Culture.” Io9, 7 June 2018, io9.gizmodo.com/iconic-bionics-11-of-the-best-cyborg-superhumans-in-po-1826609120. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

Tangermann, Victor. “The Future Is Here: Six of Today’s Most Advanced, Real-Life Cyborgs.” Futurism, 12 Oct. 2017, futurism.com/six-of-todays-most-advanced-real-life-cyborgs. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

Thompson, Steven John, editor. Androids, Cyborgs, and Robots in Contemporary Culture and Society. IGI Global, 2018.

Towers-Clark, Charles. “Cyborgs Are Here and You’d Better Get Used to It.” Forbes, 1 Oct. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/charlestowersclark/2018/10/01/cyborgs-are-here-and-youd-better-get-used-to-it/#12e10cb5746a. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

Wallace, Tim. “Round-up: A Short Guide to the Declaration of Cyborg Rights.” InternationalRelationsEDU, 6 Apr. 2018, cosmosmagazine.com/society/round-up-a-short-guide-to-cyborg-rights. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.

“What Is a Cyborg?” InnovateUs, www.innovateus.net/science/what-cyborg. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.