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GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS:
Right now, we are inventing
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all these
different technologies,
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with which we could actually
make ourselves
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superhumans
with super intelligence.
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DAVID WILCOCK: The potentials
are quite extreme.
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You could eventually
have printable noses,
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ears, lungs, kidneys.
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KEVIN WARWICK:
The big question is immortality.
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Dying, is it something
we have to do?
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WILLIAM HENRY: I'm convinced
that the engineers at MIT
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are looking back into the
ancient examples of the gods.
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DAVID CHILDRESS:
You've got to wonder,
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are extraterrestrials
somehow guiding us,
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and manipulating us
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into this new future,
and this new human
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that we are destined to be?
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NARRATOR:
Since the dawn of civilization,
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mankind has credited
its origins to gods
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and other visitors
from the stars.
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What if it were true?
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Did extraterrestrial beings
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really help
to shape our history?
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And if so, might their ultimate
plan be revealed...
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with the rise
of the Next Humans?
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*
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NARRATOR:
Mountain View, California.
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August, 1962.
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At NASA's Ames Research Center,
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the newly formed Division of
Biotechnology and Human Research
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begins a study on the
possibility of exploring space
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with technologically-enhanced
humans,
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otherwise known as cyborgs.
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Ten months later,
they release a report
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called "The Cyborg Study:
Engineering Man for Space."
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In it, they propose that
astronauts will require
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artificial organs
and pharmaceuticals
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to survive in the harshest
environments of deep space...
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...as we explore
beyond our solar system.
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While the program
was quickly abandoned
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due to the lack
of available technology,
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it helped usher in a new era
of scientific research focused
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on augmenting the human species
into a new stage of evolution:
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the Transhuman.
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WARWICK:
Transhumanism is the use
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of technology by humans,
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to enhance the physical,
psychological,
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and most of all,
intellectual capabilities.
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We transhumanists want to use
science and technology
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to self-direct our evolution.
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There are lots
of transhumanists now
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that don't even consider
themselves transhuman--
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for example,
people who have pacemakers,
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or cochlear implants,
or hip replacements.
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These are technologies
that we're using,
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and that is beyond human.
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JONATHAN YOUNG: The idea
of their being a transhuman
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is actually a very old notion,
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and it stems from our longing
for immortality.
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so there were attempts
to extend human life.
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SCOTT: Transhumanism has been
thought of for a very long time,
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throughout mythology.
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From Gilgamesh's
search for immortality,
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to alchemy...
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...to the search
for the fountain of life.
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Really, the quest to overcome
what it means to be human,
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to see if we can live forever,
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that has been the quest
for a very long time.
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If we look,
things like prosthetics,
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which are adding bits
of technology on, in some way,
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even the Egyptians, in mummies,
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in tombs, have been found
where they've had
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a little
wooden replication of a toe.
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Where somebody
has lost their toe,
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and they've been given a...
this false toe.
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But it shows that,
thousands of years ago,
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transhumanism,
in some basic form,
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was being thought of.
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NARRATOR:
Although the notion of modifying
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the body with technology
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has been around
for thousands of years,
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transhumanists say
the 21st century
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will radically change
what it means to be a human...
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...when we begin
to genetically engineer
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an entirely
new generation of humans.
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April 22, 2015.
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Guangzhou, China.
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Geneticists
at the Sun Yat-Sen University
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make history
as the first team in the world
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to genetically modify
a human embryo.
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Using a gene editing technique
known as CRISPR-Cas9,
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the scientists were able
to correct the gene defect
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that causes beta-thalassemia,
a blood disease,
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by snipping out and replacing
portions of the DNA
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in the fertilized egg.
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By using a new technology
called CRISPR,
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scientists are able to actually
cut into the DNA
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and replace parts of the DNA
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with genetically-modified
proteins.
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This allows us to literally
transform who we are.
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WARWICK:
When we look at DNA changing,
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it can be used
not just to overcome problems,
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but to improve your looks, maybe
change the color or your hair,
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or your eyes, or perhaps
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even more importantly,
change your intellectual
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or physical abilities.
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NARRATOR: Will the
modification of human embryos
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soon lead to a wave
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of what futurists call
"designer babies,"
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children whose physical features
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and mental capabilities
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were selected by their parents.
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Many believe that not only
is this a possibility,
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but that the very definition
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of a parent
may soon change as well.
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The UK is on its way to becoming
the first country
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to legalize
the creation of babies
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from three different people.
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And a large majority
of the House of Commons
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voted in favor
of the controversial
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"Three Parent In Vitro
Fertilization," or TPIVF.
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The British government
officially declared it legal,
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so actual children
have been born
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that have DNA
from three different parents.
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I think it is quite possible,
in the future,
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that it won't be just two
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or three parents
that the child has,
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but could be any number.
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That sounds
like science fiction,
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but it's actually something
the Japanese scientists
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are working on right now.
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And what that would entail
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is using an artificial womb.
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(heart beating, baby fussing)
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Actually gestating the child
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within that artificial womb.
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Now, you can imagine,
if we can get to this stage,
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it doesn't matter
who... who the parents are.
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You could have a community
of people with the best genes
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contributing
to making that child.
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And that is really the future
that is in front of us.
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NARRATOR:
Is it possible
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we could synthetically create
human beings,
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picking and choosing
genetic traits
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from any number of donors?
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Could the characteristics
of a person
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soon be limited only
by our imaginations?
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Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
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and suggest an even more
incredible possibility:
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that we are not the first
to do this.
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Luxor, Egypt.
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Here in the Deir el-Bahari
mortuary temple
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lies the burial chamber
of Hatshepsut,
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one of the only queens
to ever become a pharaoh.
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And on the frescoed walls
of this tomb is a scene
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portraying Hatshepsut's
conception
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at the hands of divine beings.
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On the walls of Queen
Hatshepsut's mortuary temple,
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it says... that...
a long time ago...
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...God Amon came
to Hatshepsut's mother,
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Ahmose, in her sleep,
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and with the power of God Anum,
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and with the key of ankh
in his hand,
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he created baby Hatshepsut.
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He uses the ankh...
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...that key-shaped tool,
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to give life, to create a human.
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GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS:
Any device that can give life
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upon something would have
to appear as magical...
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...so you have to wonder
who were these gods
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that they were talking about?
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What we have in this story
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is actually the
immaculate conception of
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Hatshepsut, and it is clear
that this is the story
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of an extraterrestrial
intervention in the creation
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of a star child, Hatshepsut.
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So, we appear to be dealing
with some sort of a technology,
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a DNA-based technology
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that can manifest human
bodies or alter human DNA.
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NARRATOR: Could Hatshepsut have
been genetically engineered
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by otherworldly beings?
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And is it possible that
humans are just now starting
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to unlock the incredible
potential hidden within us
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by our extraterrestrial
creators,
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as ancient astronaut
theorists propose?
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Perhaps further clues can
be found in our own attempts,
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not in creating life,
but in reversing death.
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NARRATOR:
State College, Pennsylvania.
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October 15, 2015.
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Dr. Gong Chen and
a team of biologists
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from the Life
Sciences Department
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at Penn State University
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reveal research on
a cocktail of specialized drugs
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designed to convert
non-neuronal cells in the brain,
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called glial cells,
into neurons.
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90% of our brain is made up
of what's called glial cells.
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These cells are just
a support mechanism
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for the neurons themselves.
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WARWICK:
What we can do at the moment
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is to take glial cells
from the brain
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and to use different
chemicals, essentially,
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to alter the functioning
of the glial cells.
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Chemicals will cause them
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to become fresh neurons.
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Gong Chen's belief
for this research is that
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things like severe brain trauma,
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Parkinson's disease,
and Alzheimer's could actually
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be effectively
transformed and healed.
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NARRATOR: Could degenerative
brain disorders
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like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
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be cured by a simple
chemical injection?
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And if so, could we eventually
rid the brain
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of neurological
diseases entirely?
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Transhumanists believe
the therapeutic uses
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for this incredible discovery
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are only a small part
of the bigger picture.
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In the future, we could
see using that technology
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to increase our intelligence
to a, to a superhuman state.
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Now imagine, because the brain
is only ten percent neurons,
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imagine if we could
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increase the brain's
capacity to 35%.
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That could change everything.
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I mean, we could become
a super intelligent species.
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Could you, in fact,
advance the human IQ,
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perhaps to such a degree
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that you might have
people walking around now
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with a 1,000 IQ?
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GEORGE NOORY:
We've seen what has happened
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with HGH, or steroids
pumped into athletes.
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What would happen if
you developed a serum
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that could augment the brain?
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I think we're gonna
be able to do that.
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NARRATOR:
Could Dr. Chen's research
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lead us to an exponential
increase of the human intellect?
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And if so, will we
seem like primates
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to the people of tomorrow?
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Transhumanists suggest that if
we can create new brain cells,
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we could potentially reproduce
all of the body's cells,
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which would have
profound implications.
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WARWICK:
The big question is immortality.
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Dying, is it something
we have to do?
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Cells die away, but if we can
start replacing the cells,
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and if we can
replace brain cells
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and keep the functioning
of the brain going,
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then it does, potentially,
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really extend life,
in theory, forever.
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Some people, like Ray Kurzweil,
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have suggested by 2045
we'll be able to do that.
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NARRATOR:
Ray Kurzweil
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is Google's Director
of Engineering,
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a transhumanist, prolific
author and inventor.
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00:14:24,664 --> 00:14:27,634
He believes, in the near future,
252
00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:31,371
humans will be able to extend
their lives indefinitely.
253
00:14:32,605 --> 00:14:35,242
To reach that point,
he maintains
254
00:14:35,275 --> 00:14:37,677
a daily diet of over 100
255
00:14:37,710 --> 00:14:40,113
different body and
mind enhancing pills,
256
00:14:40,147 --> 00:14:43,283
called nootropics.
257
00:14:43,316 --> 00:14:46,686
Nootropics are essentially
drugs of one kind or another,
258
00:14:46,719 --> 00:14:50,257
chemicals if you like,
that can change the way
259
00:14:50,290 --> 00:14:52,092
most of the body functions,
260
00:14:52,125 --> 00:14:54,394
but particularly how
the brain functions.
261
00:14:56,563 --> 00:14:58,031
SCOTT:
Choline, for example,
262
00:14:58,065 --> 00:15:01,134
helps with memory, and so,
people are using
263
00:15:01,168 --> 00:15:03,270
these nootropics
to enhance their memory,
264
00:15:03,303 --> 00:15:07,640
to have better recall,
to have better focus.
265
00:15:07,674 --> 00:15:09,442
You're starting to see
nootropics pop up everywhere,
266
00:15:09,476 --> 00:15:11,411
especially in Silicon Valley.
267
00:15:11,444 --> 00:15:13,246
In the future, the idea
268
00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,283
of enhancing the cognitive
ability in the human being
269
00:15:16,316 --> 00:15:18,185
is going to be
sort of commonplace.
270
00:15:21,588 --> 00:15:23,590
NARRATOR:
Kurzweil and others predict
271
00:15:23,623 --> 00:15:28,095
nootropics will become a new
multi-billion dollar industry
272
00:15:28,128 --> 00:15:31,598
as people turn to supplements
to enhance their bodies
273
00:15:31,631 --> 00:15:33,700
and prolong their lives.
274
00:15:33,733 --> 00:15:37,204
But ancient astronaut
theorists believe that,
275
00:15:37,237 --> 00:15:39,306
like genetic manipulation,
276
00:15:39,339 --> 00:15:44,577
evidence of nootropic use can
be found thousands of years ago.
277
00:15:44,611 --> 00:15:47,714
Dating back to
the fifth century BC,
278
00:15:47,747 --> 00:15:51,451
the Hindu Sanskrit epic
known as The Mahabharata,
279
00:15:51,484 --> 00:15:54,654
tells the story
of Samudra Manthana,
280
00:15:54,687 --> 00:15:57,690
a celestial battle
between the gods
281
00:15:57,724 --> 00:16:01,694
for a rare substance
that grants immortality.
282
00:16:04,764 --> 00:16:10,703
The "Samudra Manthana" means
the "churning of the ocean."
283
00:16:10,737 --> 00:16:14,474
And in this case,
the ocean is visualized
284
00:16:14,507 --> 00:16:16,609
as a cosmic sea of milk.
285
00:16:16,643 --> 00:16:20,413
It is, in essence,
the Milky Way itself.
286
00:16:20,447 --> 00:16:24,517
There were two primary forces
at odds in the universe.
287
00:16:24,551 --> 00:16:26,619
There were the Asuras...
288
00:16:26,653 --> 00:16:28,088
and they were at odds
289
00:16:28,121 --> 00:16:32,025
with a new order of gods--
the Devas.
290
00:16:34,327 --> 00:16:37,164
The gods went to Lord Vishnu
and Vishnu said,
291
00:16:37,197 --> 00:16:40,100
why don't you try
to cooperate with them?
292
00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:43,103
At the very depths of the ocean,
293
00:16:43,136 --> 00:16:46,173
there is a substance
called Amrita,
294
00:16:46,206 --> 00:16:48,508
a divine nectar
of immortality.
295
00:16:48,541 --> 00:16:50,643
Churn the cosmic ocean of milk,
296
00:16:50,677 --> 00:16:53,813
and it will yield forth
the nectar of immortality,
297
00:16:53,846 --> 00:16:55,782
and you can share it.
298
00:16:55,815 --> 00:16:59,252
YOUNG: The gods and the demons
start churning,
299
00:16:59,286 --> 00:17:01,521
in the heavens, the Milky Way,
300
00:17:01,554 --> 00:17:05,525
and what is produced
by this is an elixir,
301
00:17:05,558 --> 00:17:07,794
an elixir
that can grant immortality.
302
00:17:07,827 --> 00:17:10,530
Well, there was
a terrible war now,
303
00:17:10,563 --> 00:17:13,433
because everyone wanted this.
304
00:17:13,466 --> 00:17:16,403
CHILDRESS: In order to win
the battle for the gods,
305
00:17:16,436 --> 00:17:19,172
they decide they need
this amrita,
306
00:17:19,206 --> 00:17:21,374
this elixir of life.
307
00:17:21,408 --> 00:17:25,678
So you have to wonder if this
story isn't about some kind of
308
00:17:25,712 --> 00:17:28,181
extraterrestrial war in heaven,
309
00:17:28,215 --> 00:17:32,752
where aliens are fighting
over nootropics.
310
00:17:37,890 --> 00:17:40,560
NARRATOR: Could the story
of the Samudra Manthana
311
00:17:40,593 --> 00:17:43,796
be an ancient account
of a celestial battle
312
00:17:43,830 --> 00:17:45,798
over a highly advanced
nootropic?
313
00:17:47,467 --> 00:17:50,803
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
314
00:17:50,837 --> 00:17:53,873
and point to legends
of immortality elixirs
315
00:17:53,906 --> 00:17:58,778
throughout antiquity.
316
00:17:58,811 --> 00:18:01,581
The ancients had many stories
of immortality--
317
00:18:01,614 --> 00:18:03,483
that it was touchable
or reachable.
318
00:18:04,817 --> 00:18:08,888
The Chinese had
the peaches of immortality.
319
00:18:08,921 --> 00:18:12,225
The Greeks had ambrosia.
320
00:18:12,259 --> 00:18:16,229
The Mesopotamians
had the idea of "soma."
321
00:18:16,263 --> 00:18:20,500
In the Biblical tradition,
there is the tree of life.
322
00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:24,704
There is something that you
can ingest and gain immortality.
323
00:18:26,406 --> 00:18:27,740
CHILDRESS:
This quest has been going on
324
00:18:27,774 --> 00:18:29,342
for thousands of years,
325
00:18:29,376 --> 00:18:32,879
around the world,
by many different cultures.
326
00:18:32,912 --> 00:18:36,483
This quest
for these smart drugs,
327
00:18:36,516 --> 00:18:40,387
that will enhance our lifestyle
and our mental clarity.
328
00:18:40,420 --> 00:18:42,355
So you have to wonder,
329
00:18:42,389 --> 00:18:46,259
was this nootropic drug
330
00:18:46,293 --> 00:18:49,362
some kind of
extraterrestrial elixir
331
00:18:49,396 --> 00:18:51,298
that was well-known
in ancient times?
332
00:18:55,702 --> 00:18:57,370
NARRATOR:
Could ancient accounts
333
00:18:57,404 --> 00:19:00,907
of elixirs of immortality
really be descriptions
334
00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:04,511
of extraterrestrial nootropics?
335
00:19:04,544 --> 00:19:07,280
And might it soon be possible
336
00:19:07,314 --> 00:19:09,782
to unlock
our full human potential
337
00:19:09,816 --> 00:19:12,719
simply with the
right potion or pill,
338
00:19:12,752 --> 00:19:15,788
perhaps fulfilling a destiny
339
00:19:15,822 --> 00:19:18,858
to become like
our alien ancestors?
340
00:19:18,891 --> 00:19:22,795
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
341
00:19:22,829 --> 00:19:25,532
and suggest molecular chemistry
342
00:19:25,565 --> 00:19:28,668
is only the beginning
of the human upgrade.
343
00:19:37,944 --> 00:19:41,681
NARRATOR:
November 17, 2015.
344
00:19:44,584 --> 00:19:46,386
A team of researchers
345
00:19:46,419 --> 00:19:49,922
from North Carolina State
University, and Rice University,
346
00:19:49,956 --> 00:19:52,792
unveil the first motor-driven,
347
00:19:52,825 --> 00:19:55,328
submersible nanomachines
ever created.
348
00:19:58,731 --> 00:20:03,670
Molecular nano-technology
is the idea
349
00:20:03,703 --> 00:20:06,939
of building devices, machines,
350
00:20:06,973 --> 00:20:09,309
at a molecular scale.
351
00:20:09,342 --> 00:20:13,980
"Nano" refers to
a billionth of a meter,
352
00:20:14,013 --> 00:20:15,615
so, very, very small.
353
00:20:15,648 --> 00:20:17,617
We're getting down
to atomic scale.
354
00:20:20,453 --> 00:20:23,956
NARRATOR:
Measuring only 244 atoms across,
355
00:20:23,990 --> 00:20:26,726
these miniature robots
are designed
356
00:20:26,759 --> 00:20:28,461
to deliver specialized medicines
357
00:20:28,495 --> 00:20:31,498
throughout the body,
using the bloodstream.
358
00:20:31,531 --> 00:20:36,002
Scientists have created biobots
that are the first of its kind.
359
00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:39,572
These tiny little bio hybrids
and bots are capable
360
00:20:39,606 --> 00:20:42,475
of tying to viscous material
through our bodies.
361
00:20:42,509 --> 00:20:44,477
SCOTT: They take
submersible nanomachines
362
00:20:44,511 --> 00:20:46,313
that can be controlled
with UV light,
363
00:20:46,346 --> 00:20:49,316
and using the UV light,
they can control
364
00:20:49,349 --> 00:20:51,684
where these nanomachines
take nutrients
365
00:20:51,718 --> 00:20:54,020
and take medicines
into the body.
366
00:20:55,522 --> 00:20:56,856
WARWICK:
As long as we have a way
367
00:20:56,889 --> 00:20:59,326
of controlling them
from the outside,
368
00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:01,628
they can move around
very, very quickly,
369
00:21:01,661 --> 00:21:04,431
perform a function--
i-if we're looking
370
00:21:04,464 --> 00:21:06,333
at operating on a cancer,
371
00:21:06,366 --> 00:21:08,335
then, potentially, they could do
372
00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:10,903
that operation for you,
from within.
373
00:21:15,808 --> 00:21:19,379
WILCOCK: This could
lead to huge advances
374
00:21:19,412 --> 00:21:22,615
in medicine, in healing,
375
00:21:22,649 --> 00:21:26,018
leading to nanomachines
that could actually
376
00:21:26,052 --> 00:21:27,620
heal the wounds in our bodies,
377
00:21:27,654 --> 00:21:30,923
close things up much faster,
378
00:21:30,957 --> 00:21:34,327
repair damaged tissue,
extend our lifespan,
379
00:21:34,361 --> 00:21:39,732
and literally bring us into
a new level of human evolution.
380
00:21:43,536 --> 00:21:45,372
NARRATOR:
Transhumanists believe
381
00:21:45,405 --> 00:21:47,006
our bodies will soon be home
382
00:21:47,039 --> 00:21:50,042
to swarms of nanomachines,
383
00:21:50,076 --> 00:21:53,480
that will both heal,
and also warn of disease.
384
00:21:55,915 --> 00:21:57,116
And some propose
385
00:21:57,149 --> 00:22:00,520
this technology
is advancing so rapidly
386
00:22:00,553 --> 00:22:01,788
that it will not just be
387
00:22:01,821 --> 00:22:04,090
future generations
that will live tens
388
00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:07,059
or even hundreds
of years longer,
389
00:22:07,093 --> 00:22:10,062
but people who are alive today.
390
00:22:10,096 --> 00:22:14,867
STOCK: The possibility
of reversing human aging,
391
00:22:14,901 --> 00:22:17,770
as opposed to just
slowing it down,
392
00:22:17,804 --> 00:22:19,839
is not a very big stretch.
393
00:22:19,872 --> 00:22:24,577
So if you understand aging
and the fundamentals
394
00:22:24,611 --> 00:22:27,947
of the processes
that are leading to it,
395
00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:30,683
it would be quite possible,
both to slow it,
396
00:22:30,717 --> 00:22:34,387
and it would also be possible
to reverse it.
397
00:22:38,858 --> 00:22:40,760
SCOTT:
An example of this is a study
398
00:22:40,793 --> 00:22:42,094
that has gone on at Harvard,
399
00:22:42,128 --> 00:22:45,432
by reversing
the muscle tissue in mice.
400
00:22:47,467 --> 00:22:50,903
We have actually reversed
the age in these mice.
401
00:22:52,672 --> 00:22:53,873
And so, if we can do that
402
00:22:53,906 --> 00:22:56,576
in the laboratory setting,
403
00:22:56,609 --> 00:22:58,077
it's only a matter of time
404
00:22:58,110 --> 00:23:01,113
before we're able to reverse
our own aging process.
405
00:23:03,483 --> 00:23:05,718
NARRATOR: Could millions of
microscopic robots
406
00:23:05,752 --> 00:23:08,855
soon be swimming
in our bloodstreams,
407
00:23:08,888 --> 00:23:10,923
augmenting our immune system,
408
00:23:10,957 --> 00:23:14,427
and even reversing the aging
process entirely,
409
00:23:14,461 --> 00:23:16,496
as transhumanists believe?
410
00:23:18,197 --> 00:23:20,600
Ancient astronaut
theorists suggest
411
00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:23,870
that if such
a transformation does occur,
412
00:23:23,903 --> 00:23:26,473
it may be a sign
that we're evolving
413
00:23:26,506 --> 00:23:29,476
to become more
like our alien ancestors.
414
00:23:35,247 --> 00:23:39,085
As evidence, they point
to the Sumerian King List,
415
00:23:39,118 --> 00:23:41,187
a series of stone tablets
416
00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:44,791
that are believed to be
over 4,000 years old,
417
00:23:44,824 --> 00:23:46,526
and record the reigns
418
00:23:46,559 --> 00:23:48,761
of ancient Mesopotamian kings
419
00:23:48,795 --> 00:23:52,599
that ruled for upwards
of 43,000 years.
420
00:23:55,201 --> 00:23:56,636
HENRY:
The Sumerian Kings List
421
00:23:56,669 --> 00:23:59,806
was handed down
to humanity by the gods.
422
00:23:59,839 --> 00:24:02,642
What's extraordinary is that
the reigns of these kings
423
00:24:02,675 --> 00:24:04,811
last into the
thousands of years.
424
00:24:04,844 --> 00:24:06,646
These people weren't
making allegorical
425
00:24:06,679 --> 00:24:08,014
or metaphorical statements,
426
00:24:08,047 --> 00:24:10,583
these were accurate
historical records.
427
00:24:12,552 --> 00:24:13,853
CHILDRESS:
Ancient texts,
428
00:24:13,886 --> 00:24:16,556
including the Bible
and the Sumerian texts,
429
00:24:16,589 --> 00:24:18,725
talk about ancient kings
430
00:24:18,758 --> 00:24:22,829
and other people living
incredibly long life spans.
431
00:24:22,862 --> 00:24:27,934
Methuselah, who was supposedly
the father of Noah,
432
00:24:27,967 --> 00:24:30,837
was said to have lived
for 969 years.
433
00:24:33,806 --> 00:24:35,542
JASON MARTELL:
When we look into the past,
434
00:24:35,575 --> 00:24:37,209
there's a clear record
of people who have lived
435
00:24:37,243 --> 00:24:40,947
a much longer life span
than what we have today.
436
00:24:40,980 --> 00:24:43,149
We have to wonder if
these beings weren't given
437
00:24:43,182 --> 00:24:45,952
or had access to
some type of nanotechnology.
438
00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:49,188
And it fuels the idea
and understanding,
439
00:24:49,221 --> 00:24:52,692
and our drive today,
to be like the gods.
440
00:24:55,595 --> 00:24:57,964
CHILDRESS: And this
important nanotechnology
441
00:24:57,997 --> 00:25:01,033
is something that
extraterrestrials
442
00:25:01,067 --> 00:25:05,071
and other advanced civilizations
would already have.
443
00:25:06,806 --> 00:25:08,240
And it would only
make sense that,
444
00:25:08,274 --> 00:25:11,844
if extraterrestrials
are coming to our planet,
445
00:25:11,878 --> 00:25:15,014
they would have brought
this nanotechnology with them.
446
00:25:19,185 --> 00:25:20,853
NARRATOR:
Might our research
447
00:25:20,887 --> 00:25:24,991
into nanotechnology, nootropics
and genetic engineering
448
00:25:25,024 --> 00:25:28,895
ascend us to the level
of extraterrestrials
449
00:25:28,928 --> 00:25:32,164
that came to Earth
thousands of years ago,
450
00:25:32,198 --> 00:25:35,568
as ancient astronaut
theorists suggest?
451
00:25:37,904 --> 00:25:40,306
Perhaps further clues
can be found
452
00:25:40,339 --> 00:25:43,876
by examining the technology
that is being developed
453
00:25:43,910 --> 00:25:47,146
to upgrade not just our blood,
454
00:25:47,179 --> 00:25:50,082
but even our flesh.
455
00:25:56,756 --> 00:25:58,591
NARRATOR:
New York City.
456
00:25:58,625 --> 00:26:02,829
May 4, 2015.
457
00:26:02,862 --> 00:26:06,098
At TechCrunch Disrupt New York,
458
00:26:06,132 --> 00:26:08,968
an annual new technologies
conference,
459
00:26:09,001 --> 00:26:11,671
U.S. biotech startup BioBots
460
00:26:11,704 --> 00:26:15,775
launches a desktop 3D printer
for biomaterials...
461
00:26:17,343 --> 00:26:21,080
...which they use to print
a replica of Van Gogh's ear.
462
00:26:23,149 --> 00:26:25,184
Instead of plastic,
463
00:26:25,217 --> 00:26:27,987
special ink is combined
with biomaterials--
464
00:26:28,020 --> 00:26:30,990
like collagen
and cultured cells--
465
00:26:31,023 --> 00:26:34,326
to build living tissue
and human organs.
466
00:26:38,164 --> 00:26:40,633
So, right now,
we're just at the beginning
467
00:26:40,667 --> 00:26:42,835
of understanding
how to 3D-print organs.
468
00:26:45,037 --> 00:26:46,906
It's a process called
"biofabrication."
469
00:26:46,939 --> 00:26:50,877
So BioBots has created
a biofabrication 3D printer
470
00:26:50,910 --> 00:26:54,747
that can print artificial tissue
and small organs.
471
00:26:55,948 --> 00:26:58,184
In the future,
what we're going to see
472
00:26:58,217 --> 00:26:59,819
are 3D printers that are
473
00:26:59,852 --> 00:27:03,155
bio-fabricating our bodies
and our organs.
474
00:27:05,892 --> 00:27:08,360
WILCOCK:
You could eventually have
475
00:27:08,394 --> 00:27:10,930
printable noses, lungs,
476
00:27:10,963 --> 00:27:13,933
ears, kidneys...
477
00:27:13,966 --> 00:27:16,769
and, in certain ways,
478
00:27:16,803 --> 00:27:18,838
this technology is so extreme
479
00:27:18,871 --> 00:27:20,773
that it could make it
democratic.
480
00:27:20,807 --> 00:27:22,675
It could make it inexpensive.
481
00:27:22,709 --> 00:27:26,846
So in the hands of skilled,
trained medical professionals,
482
00:27:26,879 --> 00:27:28,314
it could be possible
in the future
483
00:27:28,347 --> 00:27:32,251
to 3D print organs for people
484
00:27:32,284 --> 00:27:34,787
out of their own
genetic material.
485
00:27:40,492 --> 00:27:42,695
NARRATOR:
Transhumanists believe
486
00:27:42,729 --> 00:27:46,165
we may soon transcend
our biological limitations,
487
00:27:46,198 --> 00:27:50,336
as we embed machines
directly into our own bodies.
488
00:27:52,805 --> 00:27:56,342
DARPA, the agency of
the U.S. Department of Defense
489
00:27:56,375 --> 00:27:59,445
responsible for the development
of emerging technologies
490
00:27:59,478 --> 00:28:01,714
for use by the military...
491
00:28:01,748 --> 00:28:06,352
is currently designing neural
implants that will improve
492
00:28:06,385 --> 00:28:11,257
cognitive speed and
memory retention in soldiers.
493
00:28:11,290 --> 00:28:13,726
And in 2014,
494
00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:18,030
scientists at Seoul National
University in South Korea
495
00:28:18,064 --> 00:28:21,834
unveiled research on
synthetic "smart skin"--
496
00:28:21,868 --> 00:28:24,737
lifelike ultra-thin
crystalline silicon
497
00:28:24,771 --> 00:28:27,740
designed to cover
prosthetic limbs,
498
00:28:27,774 --> 00:28:31,343
giving the user all of the
sensations of a natural limb.
499
00:28:34,413 --> 00:28:37,850
They have now developed a-a skin
500
00:28:37,884 --> 00:28:41,020
which has touch senses
embedded in it
501
00:28:41,053 --> 00:28:43,255
with a very fine matrix,
502
00:28:43,289 --> 00:28:47,393
which can be put
around a prosthetic.
503
00:28:47,426 --> 00:28:50,763
So you can actually feel
504
00:28:50,797 --> 00:28:52,264
what that arm is feeling
505
00:28:52,298 --> 00:28:54,033
or you can touch the floor,
506
00:28:54,066 --> 00:28:58,137
feel whether it's hot or cold,
or applying pressure.
507
00:28:58,170 --> 00:28:59,405
SCOTT:
Future artificial limbs
508
00:28:59,438 --> 00:29:01,407
will look just like our skin,
509
00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:03,175
look just like our hands
and our legs.
510
00:29:03,209 --> 00:29:05,077
It's going to affect
the entire world.
511
00:29:05,111 --> 00:29:06,412
We're going to see people
512
00:29:06,445 --> 00:29:08,881
using smart prosthetics
513
00:29:08,915 --> 00:29:10,482
that are added to the body,
514
00:29:10,516 --> 00:29:14,286
that can be controlled
directly through the brain.
515
00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:18,424
And that really is
the future of prosthetics.
516
00:29:18,457 --> 00:29:22,028
WARWICK:
I can speak from experience,
517
00:29:22,061 --> 00:29:23,830
because I've had one myself--
518
00:29:23,863 --> 00:29:27,299
our implants that link
either into the brain
519
00:29:27,333 --> 00:29:30,169
or into the human
nervous system--
520
00:29:30,202 --> 00:29:32,071
and what I had was
521
00:29:32,104 --> 00:29:36,042
100 small electrodes...
522
00:29:36,075 --> 00:29:38,310
fired into my nervous system
523
00:29:38,344 --> 00:29:41,213
to link my nervous system
with a computer.
524
00:29:41,247 --> 00:29:45,051
It was a bit like plugging
a plug into an electric socket,
525
00:29:45,084 --> 00:29:48,154
but the socket was
my nervous system.
526
00:29:48,187 --> 00:29:51,057
I went to Columbia University
in New York,
527
00:29:51,090 --> 00:29:53,459
we plugged my nervous system
into the Internet,
528
00:29:53,492 --> 00:29:58,064
and I controlled a robot hand
from my brain signals.
529
00:29:58,097 --> 00:30:00,066
You can extend
your nervous system
530
00:30:00,099 --> 00:30:02,101
by simply plugging into it.
531
00:30:04,470 --> 00:30:07,206
SCOTT: If we can use
just the power of our thought
532
00:30:07,239 --> 00:30:10,943
to control artificial limbs...
533
00:30:10,977 --> 00:30:12,879
we can eventually, one day,
534
00:30:12,912 --> 00:30:16,849
use the power of our thoughts
to control avatar robots.
535
00:30:16,883 --> 00:30:20,119
(whirring)
536
00:30:20,152 --> 00:30:22,521
I think we're going to see
that kind of technology
537
00:30:22,554 --> 00:30:25,224
used to control avatars
on the Moon;
538
00:30:25,257 --> 00:30:27,526
we're going to see that kind of
technology to control
539
00:30:27,559 --> 00:30:30,129
robotic humanoid avatars
on Mars.
540
00:30:34,533 --> 00:30:37,503
NARRATOR: Could we one day
venture into the cosmos,
541
00:30:37,536 --> 00:30:39,505
not with our bodies,
542
00:30:39,538 --> 00:30:44,210
but by wirelessly controlling
robotic avatars?
543
00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:48,647
And is it possible
that extraterrestrials
544
00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:50,983
have utilized
these same technologies
545
00:30:51,017 --> 00:30:53,920
to explore Earth
in the distant past?
546
00:30:56,688 --> 00:30:59,892
Ancient astronaut
theorists say yes,
547
00:30:59,926 --> 00:31:03,996
and point to technologies
currently in development at MIT
548
00:31:04,030 --> 00:31:07,133
that strongly resemble
those in ancient accounts
549
00:31:07,166 --> 00:31:10,169
of gods who descended
from the sky.
550
00:31:12,571 --> 00:31:15,407
At the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology's
551
00:31:15,441 --> 00:31:17,676
Institute for
Soldier Nanotechnologies,
552
00:31:17,709 --> 00:31:21,513
they are developing a new
smart skin for our soldiers
553
00:31:21,547 --> 00:31:24,683
that would make them resistant
to ballistic attack
554
00:31:24,716 --> 00:31:28,487
or chemical attack and also
would instantly self-repair.
555
00:31:30,089 --> 00:31:32,224
This is absolutely
extraordinary,
556
00:31:32,258 --> 00:31:35,027
because in the ancient texts,
we learn of the gods
557
00:31:35,061 --> 00:31:38,164
who wore a similar skin that
seemed to make them impervious
558
00:31:38,197 --> 00:31:40,299
to any kind of human weaponry.
559
00:31:40,332 --> 00:31:42,334
They couldn't die.
560
00:31:44,570 --> 00:31:46,205
Now when I hear stories
561
00:31:46,238 --> 00:31:49,308
of semi-divine beings,
such as Hercules,
562
00:31:49,341 --> 00:31:54,213
with his impenetrable lion skin,
563
00:31:54,246 --> 00:31:56,949
or in the Sanskrit Mahabharata,
564
00:31:56,983 --> 00:32:01,087
the story of Karna
and his impenetrable armor,
565
00:32:01,120 --> 00:32:03,089
I have to ask the question
566
00:32:03,122 --> 00:32:06,492
whether or not these were all
misunderstood technologies.
567
00:32:10,262 --> 00:32:12,598
NARRATOR:
Could the self-repairing skin
568
00:32:12,631 --> 00:32:14,633
being developed at MIT
569
00:32:14,666 --> 00:32:16,435
be the same technology
570
00:32:16,468 --> 00:32:18,737
our ancestors wrote about
571
00:32:18,770 --> 00:32:22,141
when they described divine
beings that were invincible?
572
00:32:23,709 --> 00:32:26,745
And are we on the verge
of this incredible biological
573
00:32:26,778 --> 00:32:30,282
and evolutionary leap
ourselves?
574
00:32:30,316 --> 00:32:33,219
Some believe
that mankind's next step
575
00:32:33,252 --> 00:32:36,022
is not in augmenting
our bodies with machines,
576
00:32:36,055 --> 00:32:39,958
but in becoming
the machines ourselves.
577
00:32:45,497 --> 00:32:47,599
NARRATOR:
Geneva, Switzerland.
578
00:32:47,633 --> 00:32:51,737
2013.
579
00:32:51,770 --> 00:32:56,208
Henry Markram founds
the Human Brain Project--
580
00:32:56,242 --> 00:32:59,678
a ten-year scientific venture
funded by the EU,
581
00:32:59,711 --> 00:33:02,748
involving hundreds
of researchers
582
00:33:02,781 --> 00:33:07,419
from 135 institutions
in 26 countries.
583
00:33:07,453 --> 00:33:11,490
The goal of this project is to
create a fully simulated model
584
00:33:11,523 --> 00:33:15,627
of the human brain
inside a computer.
585
00:33:17,363 --> 00:33:20,166
A lot of people are really
excited about the idea of:
586
00:33:20,199 --> 00:33:22,268
if we could
map out the structure
587
00:33:22,301 --> 00:33:23,669
of the human brain,
588
00:33:23,702 --> 00:33:26,105
neuron for neuron,
and every connection,
589
00:33:26,138 --> 00:33:28,507
then we can download
every connection
590
00:33:28,540 --> 00:33:29,775
that we have in our brain,
591
00:33:29,808 --> 00:33:33,479
all that information,
onto a computer.
592
00:33:36,715 --> 00:33:39,551
NARRATOR:
The Human Brain Project is only
593
00:33:39,585 --> 00:33:42,388
one of a number
of brain-mapping ventures.
594
00:33:42,421 --> 00:33:45,557
The next great American project,
and that's what we're calling
595
00:33:45,591 --> 00:33:47,193
the BRAIN Initiative.
596
00:33:47,226 --> 00:33:50,662
NARRATOR:
In 2013, President Barack Obama
597
00:33:50,696 --> 00:33:53,665
unveiled a $4.5 billion project
598
00:33:53,699 --> 00:33:56,302
called the BRAIN Initiative.
599
00:33:58,670 --> 00:34:00,672
And Microsoft co-founder
Paul Allen
600
00:34:00,706 --> 00:34:04,243
has invested
over $500 million
601
00:34:04,276 --> 00:34:07,813
in the Allen Institute
for Brain Science.
602
00:34:07,846 --> 00:34:10,416
Futurists speculate that if
603
00:34:10,449 --> 00:34:12,251
these initiatives are
successful,
604
00:34:12,284 --> 00:34:15,321
the implications
could be profound.
605
00:34:20,526 --> 00:34:22,494
SCOTT:
Imagine having every piece
606
00:34:22,528 --> 00:34:25,264
of knowledge that every human
has ever collected.
607
00:34:27,533 --> 00:34:29,301
And if you crunch that down
608
00:34:29,335 --> 00:34:31,837
into a digital consciousness...
609
00:34:31,870 --> 00:34:35,241
that's going
to unlock everything.
610
00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,449
We can know things
about the world
611
00:34:43,482 --> 00:34:45,184
and about life
612
00:34:45,217 --> 00:34:48,554
that no individuals have
ever previously known,
613
00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:53,325
because they're all
from the aggregation
614
00:34:53,359 --> 00:34:56,428
of all of human knowledge
that's going together.
615
00:34:56,462 --> 00:34:58,864
So these are the kinds of powers
that would have been
616
00:34:58,897 --> 00:35:02,601
viewed as god-like
in previous eras.
617
00:35:07,639 --> 00:35:09,208
NARRATOR:
Could we be on the verge
618
00:35:09,241 --> 00:35:12,244
of creating
a superhuman intelligence,
619
00:35:12,278 --> 00:35:15,314
able to outperform
a human at any task?
620
00:35:16,682 --> 00:35:18,517
And if so,
621
00:35:18,550 --> 00:35:22,188
are we at risk of being replaced
by machines entirely?
622
00:35:24,390 --> 00:35:26,225
Transhumanists believe
623
00:35:26,258 --> 00:35:29,495
what lies ahead
could actually be a merging
624
00:35:29,528 --> 00:35:31,797
of man and machine.
625
00:35:37,203 --> 00:35:40,506
WARWICK: If we can map
the human brain into technology,
626
00:35:40,539 --> 00:35:43,542
then I could take your brain
627
00:35:43,575 --> 00:35:46,312
or somebody else's brain
628
00:35:46,345 --> 00:35:49,915
and copy it into a computer.
629
00:35:49,948 --> 00:35:54,553
A technological one that could
potentially live forever.
630
00:35:57,623 --> 00:36:00,426
WILCOCK: What happens
if we gain the ability
631
00:36:00,459 --> 00:36:03,795
to upload our consciousness
into some sort
632
00:36:03,829 --> 00:36:07,666
of cloud virtual Internet
technology?
633
00:36:09,468 --> 00:36:14,440
It's not that far from the
spectrum of a realizable goal,
634
00:36:14,473 --> 00:36:18,410
because we're already seeing
neurological implants
635
00:36:18,444 --> 00:36:21,313
that can be put into the brain,
that can be used
636
00:36:21,347 --> 00:36:24,383
to control the movement
of an artificial arm.
637
00:36:26,318 --> 00:36:28,654
What happens
if those neural implants
638
00:36:28,687 --> 00:36:30,556
can actually take
the true essence
639
00:36:30,589 --> 00:36:32,991
of what it means
to be conscious,
640
00:36:33,024 --> 00:36:36,228
and break that down into
some sort of pure information
641
00:36:36,262 --> 00:36:39,831
that could live apart
from a biological substrate?
642
00:36:41,500 --> 00:36:44,336
It could make itself
far more massive,
643
00:36:44,370 --> 00:36:45,704
far more intelligent,
644
00:36:45,737 --> 00:36:48,874
than any human
ever had been before.
645
00:36:53,879 --> 00:36:55,647
NARRATOR:
Could extraterrestrials have
646
00:36:55,681 --> 00:36:58,717
steered our evolution
towards technology,
647
00:36:58,750 --> 00:37:03,455
so that we may merge man
directly with machine,
648
00:37:03,489 --> 00:37:06,425
eliminating
our biological restraints?
649
00:37:07,826 --> 00:37:11,497
And if so, might our futures
lie entirely
650
00:37:11,530 --> 00:37:15,901
in a digital realm of silicon
and bits of code?
651
00:37:15,934 --> 00:37:19,438
Many believe the answer lies
not in what we are becoming,
652
00:37:19,471 --> 00:37:22,674
but where we are going.
653
00:37:22,708 --> 00:37:27,579
CHILDRESS: It won't be long
before mankind has reached
654
00:37:27,613 --> 00:37:30,382
the point where we have
655
00:37:30,416 --> 00:37:32,784
the technology
and the artificial intelligence
656
00:37:32,818 --> 00:37:34,620
to leave our planet
657
00:37:34,653 --> 00:37:38,524
and go into space, just like
extraterrestrials before us.
658
00:37:40,659 --> 00:37:43,662
So you've got to wonder:
are extraterrestrials
659
00:37:43,695 --> 00:37:46,665
somehow guiding us
and manipulating us
660
00:37:46,698 --> 00:37:48,900
into this new future,
661
00:37:48,934 --> 00:37:52,804
and this new human,
that we are destined to be?
662
00:37:56,342 --> 00:37:59,445
NARRATOR: Is it possible that
extraterrestrials have led us
663
00:37:59,478 --> 00:38:01,947
to a post-biological future,
664
00:38:01,980 --> 00:38:05,784
so that we can rejoin them
in the cosmos?
665
00:38:05,817 --> 00:38:10,055
And if so, might they have
used these same technologies
666
00:38:10,088 --> 00:38:13,291
to visit Earth
in the distant past?
667
00:38:16,562 --> 00:38:19,765
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
668
00:38:19,798 --> 00:38:21,567
and look to NASA's
own attempts
669
00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:23,702
at re-engineering man
670
00:38:23,735 --> 00:38:26,071
for space.
671
00:38:33,979 --> 00:38:37,015
NARRATOR:
New York City, 1961.
672
00:38:38,984 --> 00:38:42,053
Psychopharmacologist
Nathan S. Kline
673
00:38:42,087 --> 00:38:45,557
and cybernetic mathematician
Manfred Clynes
674
00:38:45,591 --> 00:38:48,627
co-publish a paper
about human space travel
675
00:38:48,660 --> 00:38:52,698
entitled "Drugs, Space,
and Cybernetics."
676
00:38:54,733 --> 00:38:57,536
The two coin
the term "cyborg"--
677
00:38:57,569 --> 00:39:00,472
an enhanced human being
specifically doctored
678
00:39:00,506 --> 00:39:02,708
to survive in extraterrestrial
environments
679
00:39:02,741 --> 00:39:04,776
without a space suit.
680
00:39:07,045 --> 00:39:10,081
In their paper,
they detailed various ways
681
00:39:10,115 --> 00:39:13,419
in which to modify
the human body for survival
682
00:39:13,452 --> 00:39:17,022
beyond Earth, and later
served as the inspiration
683
00:39:17,055 --> 00:39:21,092
for NASA's study
"Engineering Man for Space."
684
00:39:23,995 --> 00:39:27,699
TSOUKALOS: Our bodies are
not suited for living in space.
685
00:39:27,733 --> 00:39:31,970
After only a few days, we
experience muscle and bone loss.
686
00:39:32,003 --> 00:39:35,574
One has to wonder
if extraterrestrials
687
00:39:35,607 --> 00:39:38,009
experience the same type
of problems.
688
00:39:39,611 --> 00:39:42,781
I do think that any beings
that are able
689
00:39:42,814 --> 00:39:47,453
to cross the cosmos
and visit this planet
690
00:39:47,486 --> 00:39:51,857
will have learned how
to self-direct their evolution,
691
00:39:51,890 --> 00:39:53,992
to survive in deep space
692
00:39:54,025 --> 00:39:56,061
for extraordinarily
long periods of time.
693
00:39:56,094 --> 00:39:59,030
Those beings,
more than likely,
694
00:39:59,064 --> 00:40:00,899
will be, at least,
bio-digital,
695
00:40:00,932 --> 00:40:03,602
meaning that they have merged
with their technologies.
696
00:40:03,635 --> 00:40:06,171
Or they will be
pure digital beings.
697
00:40:06,204 --> 00:40:09,975
These may be robots
or cyborgs.
698
00:40:16,782 --> 00:40:19,017
NARRATOR: Could
extraterrestrials have used
699
00:40:19,050 --> 00:40:23,822
the same cyborg technologies
we are just now developing?
700
00:40:25,190 --> 00:40:28,627
If so, might our push
towards transhumanism
701
00:40:28,660 --> 00:40:32,030
really be inspired
by an innate desire
702
00:40:32,063 --> 00:40:35,066
to travel further into space...
703
00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:37,603
and seek out our creators?
704
00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:44,209
There has been
a consistent path towards
705
00:40:44,242 --> 00:40:46,778
the fusion of human and machine
706
00:40:46,812 --> 00:40:48,780
throughout all of our history--
707
00:40:48,814 --> 00:40:51,517
this idea that we could
somehow advance ourselves
708
00:40:51,550 --> 00:40:53,652
for the betterment
of humankind
709
00:40:53,685 --> 00:40:55,186
through this merger
710
00:40:55,220 --> 00:40:59,024
of technology and biology.
711
00:40:59,057 --> 00:41:00,926
CHILDRESS:
I think that what will happen
712
00:41:00,959 --> 00:41:04,663
is that our biological bodies
713
00:41:04,696 --> 00:41:06,998
will be able to be perfected,
714
00:41:07,032 --> 00:41:09,835
any imperfections corrected.
715
00:41:09,868 --> 00:41:12,671
Our mental abilities
and lifespan
716
00:41:12,704 --> 00:41:15,073
will be enhanced considerably.
717
00:41:15,106 --> 00:41:18,944
And we will be ready, ourselves,
to go into space
718
00:41:18,977 --> 00:41:22,981
and ultimately join
our creators in the stars.
719
00:41:27,853 --> 00:41:30,756
NARRATOR: Is it possible
extraterrestrials left us
720
00:41:30,789 --> 00:41:32,824
with the tools
to mold ourselves
721
00:41:32,858 --> 00:41:35,627
into a truly
transhuman species...
722
00:41:37,729 --> 00:41:39,565
...one without any limits,
723
00:41:39,598 --> 00:41:43,301
capable of traveling
the stars at will?
724
00:41:43,334 --> 00:41:47,205
Or could nanomachines,
artificial intelligence,
725
00:41:47,238 --> 00:41:51,977
and the digital revolution
render humans obsolete?
726
00:41:52,010 --> 00:41:56,047
Our lives and the very nature
of our existence
727
00:41:56,081 --> 00:41:59,685
may balance on this choice,
728
00:41:59,718 --> 00:42:03,989
a choice that is coming
much sooner than we think.
729
00:42:04,022 --> 00:42:07,092
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