As biohybrid organisms designed by AI become reality, a Belgian researcher asks: what is life, and who should control it?
“We are standing at the frontier. And when you stand at the frontier, you must stay curious — and critical.”
— Simon Verghote, ULB researcher in bioethics and synthetic biology
Author: Szilárd Szélpál
It begins with a frog, and a question as old as philosophy itself. In a laboratory at the Université libre de Bruxelles, Simon Verghote is part of a group exploring xenobots — tiny programmable organisms designed by artificial intelligence, constructed from real living cells.
These biohybrid entities can swim, self-repair, and adapt. They are alive — but not as we once understood life. “When you create a new form of living matter,” Verghote says, “you are forced to ask: what is life, really?”
It is no small question. And as our conversation unfolds — ranging from Aristotle to The Fifth Element, from European human rights to the urgency of planetary ethics — it becomes clear that Verghote sees his work as part of a much larger story.
A Philosophical Challenge
Verghote comes to this frontier not only as a scientist, but also as a philosopher. “The concept of autonomy — one of the pillars of bioethics — must evolve with the technology,” he argues. “Our ethical frameworks were not built for biohybrid systems.”
At present, xenobots are largely confined to the lab. But their potential medical applications — from targeted cancer treatments to personalised drug delivery — could soon transform healthcare.
“If a xenobot can help heal a tumour, why wouldn’t we use it?” Verghote asks. Yet even as he frames them as tools, he acknowledges the limits of that metaphor. “They are not just tools — they will be living entities, in a new ontological category.”
And with that, come new ethical challenges. “We must maintain control — not only technically, but morally.”
Avoiding a New Inequality
Verghote is acutely aware of the European tradition of public ethics and social justice. One of his primary concerns is access.
“We are at the beginning — as with traditional medicine a century ago,” he says. “At first, only the wealthy could access new treatments. We must not repeat that mistake.”
He argues for a framework rooted in universal human rights — something the EU has experience in crafting. “The regulation must come before the technology becomes widespread,” he warns. “Lawmakers must not fall behind again.”
Immortality and Uniqueness
I ask about the seductive, often dangerous idea of immortality. Could these technologies be used to extend life indefinitely?
“I would not want to live forever,” Verghote replies, without hesitation. “It would not make sense. We must preserve the meaning of life — and our human condition.”
He is especially wary of attempts to clone or duplicate individuals. “We must preserve human uniqueness,” he insists. “To attempt otherwise would diminish us all.”
The Risk of Misuse
Of course, any powerful new technology invites potential misuse. Could xenobots be turned into covert weapons?
Verghote does not shy away. “That fear is real,” he says. “And it is why we must act now to ensure a strong ethical and legal framework.”
He invokes the ancient concept of pharmakon — something that can be both remedy and poison. “It is always the same with new technologies. The challenge is to ensure they serve the public good.”
An Ecological Vision
Though trained as a philosopher, Verghote thinks in planetary terms. “Xenobots might one day help us collect microplastics from the oceans,” he says. “Or repair damaged ecosystems.”
But he cautions against techno-solutionism. “The ecological crisis requires not only new tools, but new thinking — and new humility.”
The Frontier of Life
Perhaps what is most striking is Verghote’s intellectual modesty. “We do not fully understand life,” he says. “And when we take cells out of their evolutionary context, they behave in unexpected ways.”
Xenobots may one day transform medicine and environmental science. They may even help us explore distant planets. But for now, Verghote’s mission is clear: “We must proceed carefully, thoughtfully — and never forget what it means to be human.”
As our conversation ends, I am reminded that standing at the frontier of science also means standing at the frontier of ethics. And it is a place where, as Verghote reminds us, curiosity must walk hand in hand with caution.
Pull Quote
“We must preserve human uniqueness. To attempt otherwise would diminish us all.”
— Simon Verghote
Cover photo credit: Gemini
Szilárd Szélpál served as an environmental expert in the European Parliament from 2014, where he utilized his expertise to influence policy-making and promote sustainable practices across Europe. In addition to his environmental work, Szilárd has a deep understanding of foreign affairs, offering strategic advice and contributing to the development of policy initiatives in this field.
