The point was to outlaw artificial molecular assemblers like Drexler described in Engines of Creation.
Not outlaw. Prohibit “free floating” ones that can work without any further input (besides raw materials). Allowed assemblers would be connected via network ports to a host computer system that has the needed digital files, kept in something that is large enough for humans to see it/break it with a fire axe or shotgun.
Note that making bacteria with gene knockouts so they can’t replicate solely on their own, but have to be given specific amino acids in a nutrient broth, would be a way to retain control if you needed to do it the ‘wet’ way.
The law against self replication is the same testable principle, actually—putting the gene knockouts back would be breaking the law because each wet modified bacteria has all the components in itself to replicate itself again.
The point was to outlaw artificial molecular assemblers like Drexler described in Engines of Creation.
Not outlaw. Prohibit “free floating” ones that can work without any further input (besides raw materials). Allowed assemblers would be connected via network ports to a host computer system that has the needed digital files, kept in something that is large enough for humans to see it/break it with a fire axe or shotgun.
Note that making bacteria with gene knockouts so they can’t replicate solely on their own, but have to be given specific amino acids in a nutrient broth, would be a way to retain control if you needed to do it the ‘wet’ way.
The law against self replication is the same testable principle, actually—putting the gene knockouts back would be breaking the law because each wet modified bacteria has all the components in itself to replicate itself again.