# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussions

• Participants explored the regulatory landscape of DIY neural tissue experimentation, noting that while specific laws may not exist, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and animal experimentation regulations create practical boundaries for home researchers.

• A bioethics discussion examined different perspectives on when embryos should be considered persons, with some suggesting the development of a nervous system as a scientifically reasonable threshold rather than religious definitions.

• Brain-machine interfaces were highlighted through Miguel Nicolelis' work on cybernetic exoskeletons for quadriplegics, demonstrating practical applications of neural interface technology.

• Wolfram's acquisition of a Modelica-related company was discussed in the context of large-scale systems modeling, with particular interest in how components interact through "effort" and "flow" parameters across different domains (electrical, hydraulic, thermodynamic).

• The group explored potential Humanity+ (H+) funding for an open-source DNA synthesizer project, revealing tensions between innovation goals and practical concerns about project management and deliverables.

• Alternative input methods for wearable computing were extensively discussed, including chording keyboards, stenotype alternatives, and finger-based input systems, with general agreement that smartphone virtual keyboards are inadequate for efficient typing.

• Open Source Ecology's DIY construction set was highlighted as an example of practical transhumanist technology, referencing physicist Marcin Jakubowski's work on green technology featured in Forbes.