Beware the Xenobots!

[martin-w 3,235]

https://www.ign.com/articles/worlds-first-living-robots-can-now-reproduce

 

"Created using stem cells from the African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis), xenobots are less than one millimetre wide and can move, work together as a group and even self-heal.

But now, the scientists who developed them have found they can reproduce in an entirely new way – completely different from the biological reproduction of any living plant or animal.

“I was astounded by it,” professor of biology and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Michael Levin said, as reported by CNN.

This new form of reproduction sees the xenobots effectively harvest loose stem cells, gathering them together into piles which can then mature into xenobots."

Edited December 4, 2021 by martin-w

[stans 703]

Did they just create "The Blob"?

[dmwalker 603]

Some potential applications are discussed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jruKkyCPo&t=180s 

The initial applications for environmental and biomedical purposes look exciting but it looks like a "Brave New World" is coming if hybrid beings are created. Regardless of what ethical standards are established, we have seen that there will always be someone who disregards them.

[martin-w 3,235]

A great filter? 😯

[dmwalker 603]

4 hours ago, dmwalker said:

The initial applications for environmental and biomedical purposes look exciting

But what would happen if they stop fighting cancer cells and just decide to reproduce endlessly in your body?

[sightseer 895]

I misread the title as "Beware the cenobites".  I'm not sure which is scarier.