DNA, Thoughts and Copyright
Posted on January 26, 2008
Filed Under Fake Culture | Leave a Comment
Could beliefs ever become copyrighted? If the institutions which are around today, existed 2000 years ago – perhaps the Christian Bible would carry a trademark notice, with all its contents protected under international copyright law. It seems an absurd statement, but are we really that far from being there?
The DNA Copyright Institute would have us thinking along those lines. Set up in 2001 in order to protect the rights of people to their own DNA, the institute holds an ever growing database of DNA records. It seems to me that the whole notion is both frightening and utterly absurd.
It seems this whole idea is usually only viewed in terms of what technology is available today. Humans can almost certainly be cloned – perhaps even glowing ones – and yes animals (and people?) can be genetically altered. So what does that suggest about the future. Consider throwing nano-technology into that mix, how long before those little ‘robots’ are given the ability to directly alter DNA? The principle reminds me of a science talk I heard a while ago; the scientist made an allegory to global warming – which fits nicely here. He said something along the line of, ‘Al Gore may make his predictions of an environmental future of 10, 50 or 100 years – but these are visions based upon today’s technology.’
Perhaps the DNA Copyright Institute is on the right path, or perhaps they are extremely over zealous. In either regards with mind reading machines (in the courts of tomorrow?) just around the corner and adverts in your head around the other corner – how long will it be before your thoughts become patented? How will you even know your thoughts are your own and not some technological projection from a marketing company. After all, ‘where’s the harm?’ some may claim.
Virtual Reality already lays forgotten in the dust, but when it arises in a new form – with product placements inserted into your dreams, there will be a bold new future where no amount of copyright protection will help. Privacy will be the name of the game – more so than ever. But then with people already watching their neighbors on CCTV, privacy has already gone out the window.
You only need fear if you’ve got something to hide…
…If you have nothing to hide, they have nothing to see.
Reverse-logic is the true face being shown here.
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