Before everyone climbs all over me and calls me a goof I will preface this with the fact that my recollection of the even t is a bit fuzzy and something will be lost in the translation and yes, this did come from TV.
Now, having said that. I remember seeing a episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where in Data (an AI Android) was the defendant in a trial. The purpose of the trial was to determine if he was a sentient being (which he was) that was entitled to all the rights of regular ‘organic’ beings (that would be humans and other aliens).
Whoopi Goldberg played a bar tender on the show and she said something that I thought was interesting. She said something to the effect that we as a society may be judged on how we treat another group. She mentioned something about the fact that Data was only one android at the time, but what if there were 100 of them or 1,000 or even 1,000,000. Remember, while they were ‘manufactured’ they still were aware and could learn (something that given the way technology is progressing will more than likely come to pass in reality as well in my opinion) could feel…. Etc just like organic beings. Do we have the right to create something (mechanical or not) that is aware of it surroundings (sentient) and then just randomly destroy it for whatever reason.
Also, keep in mind, they may not be completely mechanical in nature, They may be a combination of organic/mechanical in nature with the ability to reproduce on their own (read build them selves not screw like bunnies).
Granted, today this is an intellectual exercise but given the advances in cloning, genetic engineering, robotic, and AI, at some point in the future, it will be a decision that we will have to address. I am not so sure I could look an android in the eye and tell it I will turn it off so that it will cease to exist just because I want to or just because I can. Is it property or not? While I may have paid for my dog, does that give me the moral right to do with it as I please? I say no. Not sure if it’s the same thing or not but I think it’s pretty close.
