Session D: 3:30PM – 5PM
Sciences. Session D – Oral Presentations, Parlor A, Union
SESSION D (3:30PM – 5PM)
Location: Parlor A, A. Ray Olpin University Union
New Biological Concepts for Artificial Life and Intelligence
Landon Drewes, Utah Valley University
Faculty Mentor Fernando Otalora-Luna, Utah Valley University
SESSION D 3:30-3:45PM
Parlor A, Union
Science and Technology
Currently, there is a need to build new concepts for the development of original forms of life. Our traditional biological concept of life is restricted, as life is considered a spontaneous phenomenon, i.e. not created according to plans and projects. Thus, the natural concept of life restricts the development of artificial life, which is based on plans and projects. If we want to “create” life, certain terms such as cells, growing, DNA and evolution represent an insurmountable constraint-they could be problematic- or just unuseful. In this regard, scientists must concentrate efforts in order to critically review long-standing concepts and propose transcendental ideas for a novel type of life, a type that is actually defined and created by humans rather than by nature. The challenge is enormous. But we can start by addressing the old biological problems and the new technological challenges.The old biological problems include, naturalism, vitalism, anthropocentrism, adaptationist program, teleology, orthogenesis, intelligent design, Anthropocene etc. and the new technological challenges focus on ecological crisis, artificial life, artificial intelligence, Novacene, cyborgs, etc. These categories cannot be addressed with only the classical biological theoretical framework. If life is really a universal phenomena, it should be possible to make general and novel theoretical contributions to the construction of a new type of life, while surpassing the frontiers of the traditional concepts, e.g. genes, mitosis, meiosis, natural selection, etc. Here, we review a) how Darwin treated the concepts of natural and artificial and b) his notion that Homo sapiens makes himself different from nature. Additionally, we discuss the possibility of broadening the range of concepts so as to develop a universal basis that might serve to carry life to a broader scope, proposing several definitions for life, one of which is inclusive to both natural and artificial life alike.
The role of CEBP/A in the unfolded protein response in Ins-1 beta cells and primary rat islets
Peter Ellsworth, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor Jeffery Tessem, Brigham Young University
SESSION D 3:50-4:05PM
Parlor A, Union
Science and Technology
The transcription factor Nkx6.1, when overexpressed in primary rodent and human islets, is sufficient to enhance beta cell proliferation, increase insulin secretion and enhance cell survival. We have sought to define the transcriptional targets of Nkx6.1 that allow for its ability to increase functional beta cell mass. We have shown that Nkx6.1 induces expression of the transcrip