George Dvorsky: 
In the 1995 anime sci-fi classic, Ghost in the
Shell, a futuristic world was envisioned in which cybernetic
individuals routinely operate in the virtual world as easily as in the
real one. Transhuman cybernetic minds are inextricably connected to the
cyber-realm, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.

In this projected future people are subjected to ‘ghost hacking’ in
which their minds are taken over by computer hackers without their
knowing it. Their ‘ghost’ or essence, or soul, or self, or whatever
descriptor you want to give for self-identity, is manipulated and
controlled from a remote source.

As disturbing as this sounds, it’s not beyond the realm of
plausibility. When considering the Church-Turing
thesis of computational compatability, and given recent
insight into cognitive computationalism (or functionalism),
one can make the assumption that future human minds will be indelibly
linked to extraneous computer systems.

And as a frightening precursor to ‘ghost hacking’, also known as
neurohacking, a recent article
in Technology
Review reveals that the first generation of invasive
neurohacking may be only years away.

In her article, titled "Could
Terrorists Hijack Your Brain?" Emily Singer reports on how
security experts are warning that we need to prepare for a much broader
spectrum of potential bioterror agents — this according to a report released this week by the Washington, DC-based National
Academies.

While most bioweapons research is focused on the usual suspects, namely
such agents as anthrax and smallpox, it is now though that emerging
technologies in biotechnology and the life sciences could be usurped to
take control of genes, immune systems, and even brains.

Terrorists, or even state-actors for that matter, could also co-opt
relatively new technologies, such as synthetic
biology (which aims to build organisms that can detect or
produce chemicals or perform other functions) or RNA
interference (a technique that allows scientists to easily
control gene expression).

There is also concern about the potential of bioregulators — small,
biologically active organic compounds that can regulate different
systems in the body. Newer technologies such as targeted delivery
methods that zero in on the immune or neuroendocrine systems could make
it easier to use bioregulators in evil ways.

Such is the double-edged sword of technological development. For each
advancement, someone can twist it for self-serving and nefarious
purposes. Consequently, in order to prepare for the ever-changing
"threat spectrum," the advisors recommend that technologies with
dual-use potential — those that can be used to either help or harm
humanity — be continually reassessed to take account of rapid advances
in biotechnology.

Additionally, it is suggested that a scientific advisory board be
developed to assist the national security community and to ensure that
teams monitoring these threats have the most up-to-date scientific
expertise. It was also advised that public health infrastructures be
strengthened and that incentives be put into place for the creation of
broadly active vaccines and other products that can protect against
diverse agents.

"It’s like the transition from trench warfare to mobilized warfare
between World War I and World War II," notes one of the report authors.
"How do we begin to defend ourselves against that dynamic threat
landscape? How do we adapt our health, medical, and biodefense systems
to respond to that?"

Interestingly, the advisors also endorsed an open exchange of
information in the life sciences as much as possible, emphasizing that
the best means of protecting against future threats is further advances
in technology.

So, are we indelibly headed for a Ghost in the Shell like
future? Quite possibly yes, but it appears that we may have the
safeguards, firewalls, and prophylaxis in place to deal with the
problems as they arise.

As a final aside, humans have had to deal with ‘neurohacking’ for quite
some time now, but not in such invasive ways. Ever since propaganda was developed, people have had their minds influenced by
external sources. And memes themselves, whether they be autonomous or created and
directed by individuals or groups, are impacting on their hosts,
directing the human sense of self and how decisions are forumlated.

It looks, however, that keeping control of our minds is about to get harder by a significant degree of magnitude.

More here.