Download Computer Virus Could Become Biological

Computer Virus Could Become
Biological
BRANDON COX
A Blurry Line
 Researchers says they on are the border of
distinguishing living and non-living.
 Computer Viruses are more advanced
 We can already synthesize bacteria easily
 Both Computer and Biological Viruses have similar
methods of attack.
HIV – DDoS
 Influenza – Conficker Virus

The Why and How
 Why?
Biological Warfare
 Engineering virus to fight malicious diseases i.e. Cancer
 Malicious attitudes

 How?
Through electronics in humans i.e. pacemakers, prosthesis
 Infect these then translate virus to humans

Ethicality
 I see many ethical problems facing this
 Hard to control
 Many more harmful elements than helpful
 Cons
 Viruses could devastate whole populations
 Much more complex than normal viruses
 Drugs would have a hard time fighting it
 Pros
 Can be used to fight disease already hurting humans
 Could alter DNA sequences to fix birth problems
ACM Code
 One of the main statements in the ACM Code says,
“Avoid harm to others”.
 Potentially could only harm humans as opposed to
help
 Also says, “Contribute to society and human wellbeing”.
 I do not see the transfer of computer viruses into
humans being able to uphold these principles.
What Could Be
 It is hard to say what would happen if viruses could
travel from machines to humans
 Possibility of being very beneficial but also very
harmful to humans
 It would be hard to regulate judging off of the cyber
security landscape now
 There is no time table for when this would be a
reality