What About the Animals?

(Michael Anissimov is guest blogging at Sentient Developments this month.)  In considering a possible transhumanist future where cybernetic implants and other enhancements must be designed for the use of billions of people, I worry about an associated slaughter—that of all the animals that must be used as test subjects for the enhancements before they can be made to work.  Considering that some modifications will surely involve replacing the limbs, organs, and just about every part of the body, and always be accompanied by the risk of immune rejection, it seems heartless to subject millions of test animals to excruciating death by torture.

This is good news as I’m an animal lover myself.  I, of course, don’t want to see animals subjected to any kind of cruelty, and now perhaps they won’t have to with the research instead done on “virtual human beings” and the “micro lung” idea.  I do, without a doubt, believe in my gut that lower animals like rabbits do in fact have conscious experiences and of course can feel pain.  I think David Pierce is a good person to talk to regarding animal abolitionism as he doesn’t want any sentient being to suffer.  Nice article Michael!

OUR Mothers and Fathers
Whose ART is everywhere,
Haloed be THEIR games,
OUR kingdom’s come,
OUR will be done,
On EVERY Earth as it is in EVERY heaven,
Give US every day OUR daily bread,
And forgive US OUR trespasses
As WE forgive YOURS,
Lead US into temptation,
But deliver US from evil,
For OURS are ALL kingdoms, OUR powers and OUR glories,
Forever and ever , all creatures great and small, are men.

Perhaps over time, with the increasing trillions to be made, governments will concede companies license to experiment on host prison populations as the final level of testing, whilst offering prisoners who survive freedom and a sufficient pension.

That would, at a stroke, alleviate any need for animal testing, rehabilitate members of society and provide a benefit/boon to the rest of the population.

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