Scientists grow mice embryos in a mechanical womb

Re:Scientists grow mice embryos in a mechanical womb by hackeraccount on Wednesday March 17, 2021 @01:06PM (#26493967)

It's at least questionable if you want your super soldier to not be able to feel pain. I've read about genetic conditions that cause reduced pain sensitivity and the effects are odd. Pain makes learning possible, we see that everyday in things like don't touch a hot stove but it goes deeper. Think about learning how to walk. Or pick things up. And that's just physical. Imagine trying to teach something to a person who felt no remorse or guilt or shame - what would motivate such a person?

I'd like my super soldier to be super sensitive. I'll get them to do the terrible things I want them to and then they can live with the consequences after the fact. It'll be harder on them (after the fact) but easier for me (getting them ready for the fact)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scientists grow mice embryos in a mechanical womb by inglor_cz on Thursday March 18, 2021 @04:15AM (#26500545)

I can imagine hacking someone's personal biology so that they, in normal situation, feel pain and remorse and guilt like anyone else, but can switch it off with simple drugs and without debilitating side effects like morphine dependency.

That said, this does not seem to be the future of the military. Robots can do things that humans cannot (e.g. fly, move around in asphyxiating gas), they do not have to be trained, can be produced much faster etc.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scientists grow mice embryos in a mechanical womb by hackeraccount on Monday March 22, 2021 @07:23PM (#26548846)

Maybe. I understand there are physical side effect from morphine and such but imagine if you were designed such that water would remove from your mind doubt, remorse and guilt.

I can't speak for you but for me I think they might have to lock up the water. I'm not saying that your suggestion wouldn't work but if you could turn off those things with a switch - even if you had to rely on someone else to flip the switch - I think that would create some problems.

:-) That remind me of Catch-22. Where Yossarian is arguing with a nurse about the utility of pain. Yossarian says it's stupid - "why don't we have a neon sign on our forehead that says "ouch" in big red letters." The nurse believes it has utility. As it develops they're both atheists but Yossarian doesn't believe in a cruel malevolent God while the nurse doesn't believe in a good, kind and just God.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scientists grow mice embryos in a mechanical womb by hackinthebochs on Wednesday March 17, 2021 @05:58PM (#26497276)

Not all cases of pain insensitivity lead to these kinds of deficits: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-case-of-a-wom...

[ Parent | on HN ]