Science can be exhilarating. It can also be downright scary. And in the field of bio-robotics, where metal meets the meat of a man, it can be something deadly.
By Egon E. Mosum
If you live long enough, you get to see that what was once science fiction can become science fact.
It can be exhilarating. It can also be downright scary. And in the field of bio-robotics, where metal meets the meat of a man, it can be something deadly.
The dream of the super soldier is not new. The Spartans trained for war and little else. The story of the incredible fighting ability of the three hundred at Thermopylae is, well, legendary.
The Nazis created the SS, a supposedly superior human force of Darth Vader wannabes that dressed like extras from Star Wars. It was an attempt at creating a super soldier that read better than it played.
But now, advancements in robotics and medicine are working together to create a truly superior fighting man. It’s a mixture of Robby the Robot and Rambo, and it isn’t Darth Vader in charge, it’s DARPA.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is putting in time to produce bio-robotic battalions for future wars.
Their website states:
‘Recent advancements in — coupled with the convergence of — engineering and biology have propelled the development of bio-hybrid robots, which combine biological and synthetic components.’
DARPA is open to suggestions:
‘DARPA is seeking ideas to address the question – How can synthetic and biological components be integrated to enable bio-hybrid platforms that outperform traditional robotic systems?’
That describes improving machines with biological elements, but how far is that from enhancing humans with mechanical elements – and not just in terms of prosthetics?
Not that far. Back in 2014, DARPA was researching the ‘warrior web’ which:
‘While protecting against injury, Warrior Web also seeks to make Soldiers into better performers by giving them the feeling of a lighter load and enhancing their existing physical capabilities.’
The researchers were ‘exploring technologies to augment muscle work and increase Soldier capabilities.’
A 2017 report, Developing the Super Soldier: Enhancing Military Performance stated:
‘increasing effort is being placed on creating soldiers whose performance exceeds natural limits. Whereas soldiers are most certainly human, this effort has become known as human performance enhancement.’
The report makes reference to:
‘efforts by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to allow humans to control robotic systems through a neural interface that connects directly to the brain, even to the point of allowing the human to “feel” what the robot touches.15 Though currently this research has mostly been applied to aiding amputees control robotic prostheses, this technology could conceivably enable soldiers to control robotic weapon systems remotely, thus limiting their exposure to risk.’
This was an unclassified report, but some of the language might be instructive as to what really might be going on. Phrases like ‘mostly been applied’ and ‘could conceivably’ suggest we might assume the opposite of the quote is what’s really going on, and the research is mostly being applied to creating a super soldier.
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It makes sense in a world where robotics is playing a growing role in warfare. Inexpensive drones are destroying expensive armored vehicles. Robot dogs are on the battlefield. Robotic systems are shooting at the bad guys in urban areas.
Modern military forces increasingly let the machines do the heavy fighting while humans operate the systems from a distance. From the perspective of a soldier, this is a great idea.
But when we are engaged in military transhumanism — the evolution of the human solider through technological fusion with body and mind – any rules of war or ethical guidelines that might exist could disappear.
On the other hand, if the marriage of man and machine can aid the human soldier in his task, then why not? For example, with respect to the robotic assistance that is not invasive with respect to the human being:
‘To help alleviate physical weight on troops DARPA is developing a for legged robot, the Legged Squad Support System (LS3) to integrate with a squad of marines or soldiers.’
But the moral, ethical and technological questions really arise when the enhancements of technology are invasive, and become a part of the human being, making him a bio-robot.
In an October 2023 report, ‘Neuroethical Framework to Analyze Soldier Enhancement Using Invasive Neurotechnology,’ authored by Lieutenant Commander Vincent J. Chamberlain III of the United States Nave, it was recognized, neurotechnology:
‘can change what it means to be human for a healthy soldier. It is unlikely that researchers can all of the possible second and third order consequences of invasive neurotechnology before implanting it in soldiers.’
In the report, a truly frightening potential for invasive neurotechnology was referenced, even though the stated purpose was to eliminate PTSD for soldiers:
‘Some neurotechnology research is designed to erase certain events from the memory of soldiers to prevent post traumatic brain disorder.’
That same technology could be used to create a real live ‘Manchurian Candidate.’ It could be used to remove any ethical concerns or moral considerations in the human bearing the bionic part.
Why You Should Care
Non-invasive enhancements to soldier performance are primarily a good thing. Anything lightens their burdens on the battlefield or reduces injury or death is a benefit.
These innovations continue a trend of technology helping soldiers – from more powerful weapons and greater protect gear to faster methods of medical evacuation and medical treatment.
But invasive neurotechnology has the potential to change a soldier’s ethical and moral makeup, or even eliminate pieces of his memory. That should raise some concerns.
The world has seen the results of the complete elimination of morality from the military. Nine million innocents saw it firsthand in Nazi Germany.
While much of basic military training tends to make an individual more robotic — witness marching and close order drill — it is not designed to eliminate the human from the being. Technology that manipulates emotion or memory could do just that.
Neuro-electronic and pharmacological technologies exist to remove fear, compassion, and any other emotion that could hinder a soldier’s performance.
This might be effective and efficient. However, it could be nightmarish to realize that in creating a super soldier, we have at the same time, created a monster.
As what is first developed in the military quickly trickles down to the civilian world, what brave new world might be created? What benevolent human tendencies might be destroyed?
[1] https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/hybrids">https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/hybrids
[2] DEFENSE SCIENCE INSTITUTE https://defencescienceinstitute.com/funding-opportunity/darpa-hybridizing-biology-and-robotics-through-integration-for-deployable-systems-hybrids-darpa-ea-25-02-02/
[3] JBLE 5/7/14 https://www.jble.af.mil/Public-Affairs/
[4]IBID.
[5] DEVELOPING THE SUPER SOLDIER https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo129750/pdf/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo129750.pdf
[6] IBID.
[7] DARPA https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/legged-squad-support-system
[8] https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1209159.pdf"
[9] IBID p. 12.
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