Making It Happen: Gift of 'Think'
The idea of a genetically engineered organism is hailed as a sci-fi creation is, to the general population. To others more aware, the consensus is that GMO's, or genetically modified organisms in our food, are an 'experiment on the masses.'
Regardless, it's happening. Whether individuals like it or not. I won't get into the debate of whether GMO's are good for us or not. So what's the likelihood an animal can receive consciousness?
What are the chances of this happening?
Realistically, probably really low. The amount of information stored in our DNA that we don't know yet is truly remarkable. We all know that the four defining molecules in DNA giving the actual information are adenine, which pairs with thymine, and cytosine, which pairs with guanine. We can assume that one single base pair can hold 4 bytes, as demonstrated below.
There are 6e9 base pairs in a human cell according to bitesizebio.com. Divide that in half, and the haploid information is quantified, since the other 3e9 base pairs would be the equal and opposite. Multiply that by 4, and ion for a single cell the information stored is roughly 12 Gigabits. Or 1.5 Gigabytes.
A lot of information to sort out and filter, especially across multiple species. Sure, the DNA is up to 90% the same across most animals. But this can only mean the remaining 10% are what define a zebra from a horsefly. So how do we take advantage of this 10%.
What has to be done?
What are all the elements that humans have that animals would need to be fully conscious? Assuming an animal like some mammals could communicate without speech, serious modifications would be made to help develop the cerebrum past the normal point into higher cognition. Such an experience would have a two-fold effect: Firstly, the obvious is that the abilities to recognize oneself, (not all animals have this) is granted. Deeper observations can be made into the world around them, and more advanced feedback conditions can be made. Secondly, a better control of thought over instinct arises. It's no surprise that animals are more reliant on instinct than we are. An animal can then be made better aware to control themselves, a process which would definitely benefit any animal's chances of survival.
Thinking and awareness aside, there would be other modifications to be made. After all, imagine the frustration when an animal can't express a thought by pointing to colorful images on a chart. The cerebellum, which harbours the Arbor Vitae, or Tree of Life, controls muscle movement. (They say it's beautiful, and I do agree. I dissected one myself in high school.) Stretches of progress are needed to help support the massive amount of coordination that human speech requires. Hard to imagine, but consider the ranges of sounds that a person can make. All the languages spoken, all the voice talents actors have, and even accents and dialects within a language. And with advanced muscle coordination comes more advanced sensory feedback. We need to know how our tongue, palate, jaw and lips feel and move to reliably communicate. It's not worth to gain a muscle control if the feedback to move it is numb as frostbite.
Other minor changes are still necessary, including the need for improved eyesight. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not see greyscale. They are still colorblind as they cannot see the full spectrum we can, although different definitions of colorblind can be argued. (Alligators and some people can four color receiving cones. Mixed blessing, to be sure.) Cats are also colorblind. So adjustments to refine sight in animals are necessary for reading.
Fringe Possibilites
Would it be conceivable to grant more human attributes to animals? Suppose that experts wish to give animals bipedalism and hand dexterity. A serious adjustment to anatomy would be made in the entire body, and a complete list of what would be necessary would have to be saved for another time.
Altogether, the steps to complete a process would be probably multistage. Granting higher thought prcesses, muscle coordination for speech, better sight, and anatomy changes for speech would be the general steps to follow. For something like this, once it was done, if it was, the firestorm to follow would be an understatement.
If I missed anything, or something was off. Feel free to comment below. Happy thinking!
Regardless, it's happening. Whether individuals like it or not. I won't get into the debate of whether GMO's are good for us or not. So what's the likelihood an animal can receive consciousness?
What are the chances of this happening?
Realistically, probably really low. The amount of information stored in our DNA that we don't know yet is truly remarkable. We all know that the four defining molecules in DNA giving the actual information are adenine, which pairs with thymine, and cytosine, which pairs with guanine. We can assume that one single base pair can hold 4 bytes, as demonstrated below.
 |
| DNA Data Possibilities |
There are 6e9 base pairs in a human cell according to bitesizebio.com. Divide that in half, and the haploid information is quantified, since the other 3e9 base pairs would be the equal and opposite. Multiply that by 4, and ion for a single cell the information stored is roughly 12 Gigabits. Or 1.5 Gigabytes.
A lot of information to sort out and filter, especially across multiple species. Sure, the DNA is up to 90% the same across most animals. But this can only mean the remaining 10% are what define a zebra from a horsefly. So how do we take advantage of this 10%.
What has to be done?
What are all the elements that humans have that animals would need to be fully conscious? Assuming an animal like some mammals could communicate without speech, serious modifications would be made to help develop the cerebrum past the normal point into higher cognition. Such an experience would have a two-fold effect: Firstly, the obvious is that the abilities to recognize oneself, (not all animals have this) is granted. Deeper observations can be made into the world around them, and more advanced feedback conditions can be made. Secondly, a better control of thought over instinct arises. It's no surprise that animals are more reliant on instinct than we are. An animal can then be made better aware to control themselves, a process which would definitely benefit any animal's chances of survival.
Thinking and awareness aside, there would be other modifications to be made. After all, imagine the frustration when an animal can't express a thought by pointing to colorful images on a chart. The cerebellum, which harbours the Arbor Vitae, or Tree of Life, controls muscle movement. (They say it's beautiful, and I do agree. I dissected one myself in high school.) Stretches of progress are needed to help support the massive amount of coordination that human speech requires. Hard to imagine, but consider the ranges of sounds that a person can make. All the languages spoken, all the voice talents actors have, and even accents and dialects within a language. And with advanced muscle coordination comes more advanced sensory feedback. We need to know how our tongue, palate, jaw and lips feel and move to reliably communicate. It's not worth to gain a muscle control if the feedback to move it is numb as frostbite.
Other minor changes are still necessary, including the need for improved eyesight. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not see greyscale. They are still colorblind as they cannot see the full spectrum we can, although different definitions of colorblind can be argued. (Alligators and some people can four color receiving cones. Mixed blessing, to be sure.) Cats are also colorblind. So adjustments to refine sight in animals are necessary for reading.
Fringe Possibilites
Would it be conceivable to grant more human attributes to animals? Suppose that experts wish to give animals bipedalism and hand dexterity. A serious adjustment to anatomy would be made in the entire body, and a complete list of what would be necessary would have to be saved for another time.
Altogether, the steps to complete a process would be probably multistage. Granting higher thought prcesses, muscle coordination for speech, better sight, and anatomy changes for speech would be the general steps to follow. For something like this, once it was done, if it was, the firestorm to follow would be an understatement.
If I missed anything, or something was off. Feel free to comment below. Happy thinking!
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