DipNovel Chapter 52: Shelved
Chapter 52: Shelved
Guo Yi and the others rolled their eyes, speechless. "Why are you looking at me? If I had a solution, would I need to call this emergency meeting?"
Guo Yi's words silenced everyone once again.
The five paths that Old Feng mentioned were all incredibly difficult, even bordering on the absurd.
How can we make the performance of native limbs equal to that of intelligent prosthetics?
The legendary genetic modification might be achievable, but if it were, it wouldn't be a legend!
Adding devices to the human body?
What's the difference between that and installing a smart prosthetic limb?
How can we provide round-the-clock, comprehensive oversight of every able-bodied person in the world?
Foreigners feel that even street surveillance violates their privacy, clamor for the protection of human rights and freedom, and want to be monitored around the clock?
Does it disregard foreigners and only regulate its own territory?
Unless the country closes itself off from the world and completely cuts off all contact with other places, there will definitely be people who go abroad, self-harm, get smart prosthetics, and then come back.
Therefore, regulation must be global.
How can we make native limbs as easy to attach, detach, and use as smart prosthetics?
Putting aside how many doctors can perform limb transplant surgery, let’s just ask where the limbs come from?
clone?
There is currently no limb cloning technology.
Preservation of original limbs?
There is currently no technology that can preserve limbs for extended periods.
Considering other factors, this plan can only be described as having a good idea, but the reality is harsh.
Does it have a nanometer-level anti-tampering system?
Putting aside whether it's even possible, can ordinary disabled people afford a smart prosthesis with nanometer-level tamper-proof features?
If ordinary disabled people can't afford them, then won't smart prosthetics become a privilege for a few?
As for the transformation of the entire population, that's even more unrealistic!
Because there will definitely be people who are unwilling to make the changes, and the number of them will certainly be considerable.
Forcibly pushing for universal reform would mean conflict with those people, and even bloodshed.
This not only goes against the original intention of intelligent prosthetics, but also causes more serious consequences. Why bother?
Furthermore, a nationwide transformation means that certain ethics, culture, existing order, and other aspects also need to be overthrown and reconstructed.
The difficulty and time involved are simply incalculable.
More importantly, no one knows what the outcome will be if we embark on this path.
If the worst happens, there's no going back, and no time machine to fix it.
Therefore, we must never force a nationwide transformation.
The more they thought about it, the more hopeless they felt: "We either have to block the technology or watch society tear apart; we only have two choices!?"
"I strongly oppose technology bans!"
Without hesitation, Mr. Feng shouted, then adjusted his glasses and solemnly said, "The number of people with physical disabilities in our country is about 2472 million, which is the largest among all categories of disabilities, accounting for about 30% of the total number of disabled people."
Furthermore, based on the current status of disability prevention and related forecasts, the annual growth rate of demand for rehabilitation services for limb disabilities is approximately 15%, with about 30 new children with limb disabilities added each year, and the overall number showing a slow upward trend.
In addition, factors such as the accelerating aging of the population are expected to lead to a continued moderate increase in the number of people with physical disabilities in the future.
Therefore, intelligent prosthetics are not about a few people, dozens of people, hundreds of people, thousands of people, tens of thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people, or millions of people, but about 2472 million people and tens of millions of families!
Therefore, I firmly oppose technology blocking!
"Social division is not just a matter for tens of millions of people, but for billions!"
Yue Mingyuan stared directly at Old Feng and retorted with a serious expression, "Besides, even without the intelligent prosthetics, aren't those people still living their lives?"
Therefore, I support blocking technology!
"Those people aren't just cold, hard statistics!"
Following Mr. Feng's rebuttal, the crowd began to argue: "Approaching problems with emotion often leads to the worst possible outcome!"
"Simply addressing social problems rationally can also lead to the worst possible outcomes!"
"..."
After most people had shared their thoughts, everyone turned their attention to the leader in the video, awaiting the leader's final decision.
However, this matter was clearly not something that could be resolved on the spot. Therefore, the leader slowly said, "After the meeting, I will share the relevant information with the relevant think tanks so that they can conduct a comprehensive and in-depth analysis."
Before they release their report, they've blocked the technology and banned the installation of smart prosthetics on new personnel.
At the same time, I would also appreciate it if everyone could take some time to think about whether there are any new solutions.
After the leader finished speaking, he looked at Guo Yi and asked, "Chief Engineer Guo, do you have anything to add?"
"Not at the moment."
"Shall we adjourn the meeting?"
"Um."
"..."
Although the leaders turned off the video, the people in the conference room did not disperse immediately. Instead, they looked at Guo Yi together with Old Feng: "Ayi, it is difficult to preserve limbs for a long time, which we can understand."
But cloning limbs shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?
With enough doctors and the addition of cloned limbs, a plug-and-play solution for limbs should be achievable.
"and then?"
Guo Yi shrugged and jokingly said in a seemingly relaxed manner, "First they cloned limbs, then internal organs, then humans, then extinct animals, and finally the dead."
Friends and relatives, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Taizu of Song...
"What, you guys really want to receive a text message from Qin Shi Huang, offering him 50 to become the Great General Protector of the Nation, right?"
Before anyone could respond, Guo Yi's smile vanished instantly, and his expression turned extremely serious: "Don't talk to me about drawing boundaries or controlling core technologies."
If these methods were effective, there would be no more illegal human experimentation, spies, or traitors in the world today!
At this point, Guo Yi calmed himself down and continued in a low voice, "Of all disciplines, biology is the most beneficial and valuable to humankind."
However, biology is also the most seductive discipline, the easiest to break free from ethical constraints and obliterate the bottom line of humanity, and can directly lead to the extinction of mankind in the shortest time!
Whether it's cloning or genetic modification, both are keys to unlocking the door to biology.
Once the doors of biology are opened, given our current level of civilization and social structure, do you think we are more likely to progress or become extinct?
"..."
Guo Yi's words left everyone in a long silence, each with their own thoughts. Finally, Yue Mingyuan broke the heavy atmosphere: "Chief Engineer Guo is right. Now is indeed not the time to open the door to biology."
So, Chief Engineer Guo, you're thinking of using intelligent prosthetics to advance civilization, and then gradually unlocking the doors to biology based on the level of civilization?!
"No, I'm not that great, and I didn't think that much about it. I developed intelligent prosthetics simply to please women."
The tense atmosphere finally dissipated as Guo Yi spoke ramblingly: "Understood, I won't mention this matter again."
"Anyone else have something to do? If not, then everyone can leave."
"Let's call it a day."