Human Enhancement: Could you become infected with a computer virus?

Abstract

Experiments demonstrating human enhancement through the implantation of technology in healthy humans have been performed for over a decade by some academic research groups. More recently, technology enthusiasts have begun to realize the potential of implantable technology such as glass capsule RFID transponders. In this paper it is argued that implantable RFID devices have evolved to the point whereby we should consider the devices themselves as simple computers. Presented here is the infection with a computer virus of an RFID device implanted in a human. Coupled with our developing concept of what constitutes the human body and its boundaries, it is argued that this study has given rise to the world's first human infected with a computer virus. It has taken the wider academic community some time to agree that meaningful discourse on the topic of implantable technology is of value. As developments in medical technologies point to greater possibilities for enhancement, this shift in thinking is not too soon in coming.

Human ICT Implants: Technical, Legal and Ethical Considerations

“…Suppose that at 50 Gasson 2010. some point retinal implants will allow blind or poor-sighted patients to retrieve a substantial part of their eyesight, while at the same time enhancing some sightrelated functionality such as eye-hand co-ordination. Somewhat more directly relevant-although the technology is still embryonic-is the case when the prospect of bionic sensors implanted for medical purposes could provide some sort of compensatory advantage.…”

Socio-technical context for insertable devices

“…It should be noted that these implants may also be used for therapeutic reasons, e.g., after a mastectomy. While not everyone agrees with cosmetic surgery, nor would personally choose to undergo such a procedure, the practice itself is widely accepted at a societal level ( Gasson, 2010 ). This extended to a paradigm of choice with wearable and implantable/insertable versions of many items being available based on personal preferences and conveniences.…”

The profile of future consumer with microchip implant: Habits and characteristics

“…Similar to RFID, various countermeasures can be taken to protect MIs from attacks (Huo, 2014). Various protocols have been proposed to avoid known vulnerabilities (Gasson, 2010) and to provide a higher level of security (Guo et al., 2014). Practical experience shows that RFID technology and short‐range data transmission do not have inherent security issues, yet messages exchanged between NFC devices can be intercepted by an attacker (Masyuk, 2019).…”