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Computer Virus Could Become Biological. Brandon Cox. A Blurry Line. Researchers says they on are the border of distinguishing living and non-living. Computer Viruses are more advanced We can already synthesize bacteria easily
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Computer Virus Could Become Biological Brandon Cox
A Blurry Line • Researchers says they on are the border of distinguishing living and non-living. • Computer Viruses are more advanced • We can already synthesize bacteria easily • Both Computer and Biological Viruses have similar methods of attack. • HIV – DDoS • Influenza – Conficker Virus
The Why and How • Why? • Biological Warfare • Engineering virus to fight malicious diseases i.e. Cancer • Malicious attitudes • How? • Through electronics in humans i.e. pacemakers, prosthesis • Infect these then translate virus to humans
Ethicality • I see many ethical problems facing this • Hard to control • Many more harmful elements than helpful • Cons • Viruses could devastate whole populations • Much more complex than normal viruses • Drugs would have a hard time fighting it • Pros • Can be used to fight disease already hurting humans • Could alter DNA sequences to fix birth problems
ACM Code One of the main statements in the ACM Code says, “Avoid harm to others”. Potentially could only harm humans as opposed to help Also says, “Contribute to society and human well-being”. I do not see the transfer of computer viruses into humans being able to uphold these principles.
What Could Be It is hard to say what would happen if viruses could travel from machines to humans Possibility of being very beneficial but also very harmful to humans It would be hard to regulate judging off of the cyber security landscape now There is no time table for when this would be a reality