Exploring tomorrow's world with scientist who cloned Dolly

New Delhi, June 14 (UNI) The world's most advanced humanoid robot as well as the scientist, who cloned the sheep 'Dolly' in 1997, will come together in a television event tomorrow to explore how developments in genetic engineering, stem cell research, robotics and cybernetics can dramatically reshape the human machine.

Some of the brightest minds of our times will participate in four round-table discussions, being hosted by the CNN as part of its global initiative to stimulate debate on technological advances shaping tomorrow's world.

Among the panelists in the discussion on 'CNN Future Summit: Of Man And Machine,' will be Mr Alan Colman, the CEO and chief scientific officer of the ES Cell International Pvt Ltd (ESI) in Singapore who is widely known for his work on cloning 'Dolly'.

South Korean roboticist Jun-ho Oh and his creation HUBO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, will also make a special appearance in the programme, CNN sources said.

Designed by Dr Oh and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, HUBO, unveiled in December 2004, can move, shake hands and even dance.

According to sources in the CNN, Dr Colman, speaking at the summit, said the revolutionary advances in genetic and stem cell research would ultimately lead to "people having longer lives and higher quality lives in their terminal years".

The event will also witness participation from Ms Joanne Pranksy, billed as the world's first Robotic Psychiatrist, who has observed the development of robotics and serves as a consultant for organisations and companies around the world.

''Autonomous, thinking robots living and coexisting with us on a daily basis will dramatically change our world,'' Ms Pransky says.

That exponential rate of change in technology means that at today's rate "a hundred years of progress will be made in 25 years and the 21st century will feel like 20,000 years of technical progress," she adds.

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