Dangers of GNR Technologies

Of all the GNR technologies (genetic engineering, nanotechnology and robotics), nanotechnology has the greatest potential for the destruction of our planet--no, scratch that--our solar system. A quite disturbing fact and one that Bill Joy only hints at in his otherwise fine July 24 commentary.

Imagine self-replicating nanobots operating at the atomic scale, following their programmed commands to dismantle nearby atoms in a ground-up approach to the reconstruction of matter. An out-of-control, exponential chain reaction could turn our Earth into gray goo in a matter of minutes. If unchecked (and what’s to stop it?), it could continue to consume the other planets and possibly the sun in a matter of hours. Sound like a science fiction movie plot? Yes, but unfortunately, it’s real life and it’s coming soon. Be afraid, be very afraid.

DEVIN THOMAS

Sierra Madre

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* Joy, warning of deadly dangers from new technologies, is going to have to be a lot more specific if he wants to scare me.

He warns of genetic engineering as a source of “designer pathogens.” He forgets that there already are plenty of natural pathogens, including those of anthrax and of Marburg hemorrhagic fever. However, these are also highly deadly to anyone who works with them without taking stringent precautions. Maybe that’s why the usual, garden-variety psychopaths haven’t taken the trouble.

Robots? Joy warns of “the creation of a new life form that may escape our control.” Sounds like Frankenstein’s monster--which has failed to materialize in nearly two centuries. Nanotechnology? That’s a currently popular buzzword, but I don’t know what it means. Joy reminds me of people a few decades ago who told us that computers would give new power to Big Brother.

T. A. HEPPENHEIMER

Fountain Valley