Description
Book SynopsisNovel Beings is a forward-looking exploration into the divide between proactive and reactive regulatory approaches to the cross-section of biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) research. Addressing an innovative area of academic study, Novel Beings questions how this research, which has the potential to create new forms of morally valuable life, could be regulated.
This fascinating book examines the promises and perils of conflicting approaches to regulating emerging technologies in the unique context of this probable challenge for law and society. An impressive, and multidisciplinary, selection of expert contributors offer considerations vital to any attempt to address these issues before they become impossible to prevent or rectify. Chapters explore technologies such as genomics, synthetic biology and neurotechnologies, as well the profusion of ‘expert systems’ – algorithms and simple AI that interweave through everyday life, from smart assistants, to the financial markets, to social media. David Lawrence and Sarah Morley also discuss the global challenges for society and the laws regarding the status of these technological beings, their protections and obligations.
This book will appeal to researchers and academics who are interested in the regulation of emerging technology. It will also provide a beneficial new resource for scholars and postgraduate students studying emerging technology in different fields, such as law, bioethics and philosophy.
Trade Review‘As technologies lead inexorably to the creation of intelligent beings, the need to find practical solutions to questions of moral value, status, and resulting obligations becomes increasingly urgent. This important collection depicts challenges and marks a significant advancement in the field of biolaw in its articulation of potential proactive and reactive regulatory solutions.’ -- Emma G. Cave, Durham University, UK
‘I warmly welcome this exciting new book on how the law, ethics and regulation can respond to the challenges of “novel beings” from biotechnology to artificial intelligence. This is an excellent group of leading scholars in law and ethics, with exciting new insights into emerging technologies.’ -- Richard Ashcroft, City, University of London, UK
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction 1 PART I PROACTIVE REGULATION 1 Embedded ethics as preparatory regulation of technology: a new solution to the Collingridge Dilemma? 12 Daniel Tigard 2 Repugnance, denial, and fear: societal challenges for regulation of novel beings 29 David R. Lawrence 3 Morally significant technology: a case against mere corporate self-regulation 46 Sarah Morley 4 Beware Oz the Great and Powerful: sci-fi determinism, flawed artificial intelligence and emerging regulatory frameworks 83 Alan Dignam 5 Newer technologies, older attitudes, and retrograde regulation 124 David R. Lawrence and John Harris PART II REACTIVE REGULATION 6 Being novel? Regulating emerging technologies under conditions of uncertainty 140 Joseph T.F. Roberts and Muireann Quigley 7 The “ethical” regulation of “novel being” technologies: the potential role for patents as ethical drivers, blockers and guiders? 171 Aisling McMahon 8 A phased approach to protection of artificial beings 194 Colin Gavaghan and Mike King 9 Concluding remarks 223 Index
