"Chip implants, how far will they go?" In terms of technical ability, I predict total body replacement. The idea's not really that new of course, with the television show featuring the "$6 Million man" and "the bionic woman" having aired back in the 1970s. Given the pace of current technology I give the totally unjustified guest-imate of one generation, or maybe two.
Perhaps a more interesting question would be "Chip implants, how far is society willing to go?" This question can also be asked for genetic engineering of humans.
(1) These technologies are remarkably similar in that they are both currently possible but more research is needed to perfect the technology to a reasonably safe and effective level. Currently, genetic engineering is limited to examining fertilized embryos and discarding the ones with defects. Ideally, the most desirable genes from the parent(s) will be selected to create an embryo, with genes containing positive attributes not only included but also enhanced (a la Gattaca). While not quite like the bionic woman, there are already individuals with artificial devices implanted in their bodies -- heart regulators, cochlear implant hearing aids, artificial hips, prosthetic limps and even silicon breast implants. The eventual goal of these implants would be some man machine combo like Robocop or the cyborg ninja Grey Fox from Metal Gear Solid.
The other way these technologies are similar are that they both will change future humans. I'm talking about super human strength and intelligence here! Think about it: would there be any (2) functional difference between a person who could perform better both academically and athletically than their peers because that person was genetically engineered that way or that person had the cybernetic chip and exoskeleton implants? Okay, how about superior vision due to the use of some eagle eye gene or super high tech camera lenses implanted in the eye socket? Both would have an artificial (unnatural, man-made) advantage.
Despite these similarities I believe that the two technologies will be treated differently. Now I make a very bold prediction: western societies will be very accepting of chip implants and it will be the preferred method of "human enhancement." Chip implants will be preferred because they (3) are more egalitarian. Anyone can get them and benefit from them, unlike genetic engineering, which requires the foresight of one's parents at the moment of conception. Another reason why society will more likely accept chip implants is because they will view it more as cosmetic surgery -- a choice which the individual make for him/herself -- as opposed to something that is forced onto an unborn child. One final reason for the preference of chip implants: unlike genetic engineering, some evil corporation will not be able to grow their own legions of expendable cloned shock troopers to enslave the free world. Despite Star Trek's portrayal of Borg (4) assimilation, chip implants just don't strike me as a tool of evil.
Come to think of it, I myself wouldn't mind a computer chip implant that would function as a math co-processor and a memory storage unit -- with all the ninja skills programmed in.
Perhaps Kevin Warwick is accepting graduate students - maybe you could really try and implant! You made some interesting predictions - I guess we'll know in a generation or two whether you are right.
(1) I wouldn't say that they are currently possible - only at a very rudimentary level. We don't know how to determine whether an embryo is "smart" or how to read someone's memory.
(2) A major difference between genetic engineering and chip implants is that the altered genes will be passed on to future generations. The worst thing that can happen to an individual with a faulty implant is that that person will die (I'm ignoring farfetched ideas like superhuman terrorists). However, defective genes introduced into the gene pool could have long term consequences for the individual and the individual's progeny. I think that is a significant "functional difference" between the two technologies.
(3) That's a good point that a chip is something an adult can choose for him/herself, however, I don't think chip implants will be egalitarian since they will likely cost money. Do you envision the right to have any type of chip implanted as long as being something that the government will finance for anyone who chooses the procedure, or do you think it will be more like cosmetic surgery which is not covered under public health care? I think it's much more likely to be the latter, which will mean that the rich will be able to afford more and better implants. This will cause inequality rather that equality.
(4) Yes, but you would be trusting a profit-hungry corporation to make a part of your body (unless we have independent, non-profit implant manufacturers!). I think there are other important considerations such as privacy and reliability to consider, even if the chips are not "tools of evil".
9/10