Top Transhuman Trends and Stories of 2009 – Part Two

Just in time for New Year’s Day, here’s a continuation of the Top Transhuman Tech Trends of 2009:

Improved Gene Therapy

While gene therapy holds a lot of promise for providing effective treatments to previously untreatable diseases, in has traditionally been very difficult to administer effectively and also carried the very real risk of serious side effects. In 2009, however, we saw advancements in administration of gene therapy that seems to avoid the risks (such as leukemia) and leading to treatments for serious genetic diseases that can lead to blindness and brain damage.

Commitment to Artificial Intelligence Research

Although we saw a clear example of AI hyperbole when IBM researchers announced they had simulated a cat’s brain, at least we had Henry Markram from the Blue Brain Project deliver the smackdown to clarify the situation. We also saw MIT refine its focus on AI with the Mind Machine Project, it’s effort to understand intelligence and build intelligent machines.

Radical Longevity (somewhat) goes Mainstream

I’ve found that, for most people outside the transhumanist “community,” the idea that humans could actually, feasibly, live for as long as they want seems preposterous. That’s why it was refreshing to see more mainstream coverage of radical longevity, culminating with Sanjay Gupta’s interview with Aubrey de Grey and Dan Buettner on CNN. We also saw some good coverage of the 2009 Longevity Summit which explored many of these concepts, as well.

Advancements in Generating Power

To sustain a high level of technological development, we’ll need to make sure we can continue to generate more electricity. It’s become clear that burning fossil fuels isn’t going to cut it as a long-term solution. One of the most exciting upcoming areas of power generation is decentralized power, which will primarily consist of advancements in solar power. Recently researchers announced “glitter-sized” photovoltaic cells that could even be embedded in fabric, enabling individuals to generate their own power. While nuclear fusion is still a ways away, new talk has been taking place about embracing thorium as a source of nuclear power rather than uranium – thorium is abundant has has a much shorter half-life when compared to uranium, making it easier to store waste. In addition, we wouldn’t have to worry about thorium reactors producing weapons grade materials like plutonium-239 or uranium-235.

Any big stories that I’ve missed here? Anywhere you think I’m wrong or way far off? (Or right on?) Feel free to leave a message in the comments.