Endless forms most beautiful 2.0: teleonomy and the bioengineering of chimaeric and synthetic organisms

The rich variety of biological forms and behaviours results from one evolutionary history on Earth, via frozen accidents and selection in specific environments. This ubiquitous baggage in natural, familiar model species obscures the plasticity and swarm intelligence of cellular collectives. Significant gaps exist in our understanding of the origin of anatomical novelty, of the relationship between genome and form, and of strategies for control of large-scale structure and function in regenerative medicine and bioengineering. Analysis of living forms that have never existed before is necessary to reveal deep design principles of life as it can be. We briefly review existing examples of chimaeras, cyborgs, hybrots and other beings along the spectrum containing evolved and designed systems. To drive experimental progress in multicellular synthetic morphology, we propose teleonomic (goal-seeking, problem-solving) behaviour in diverse problem spaces as a powerful invariant across possible beings regardless of composition or origin. Cybernetic perspectives on chimaeric morphogenesis erase artificial distinctions established by past limitations of technology and imagination. We suggest that a multi-scale competency architecture facilitates evolution of robust problem-solving, living machines. Creation and analysis of novel living forms will be an essential testbed for the emerging field of diverse intelligence, with numerous implications across regenerative medicine, robotics and ethics.

Automated summary

The rich variety of biological forms and behaviours on Earth is the result of evolutionary history, with accidental and selective influences. However, our understanding of the origin of anatomical novelty, the relationship between genome and form, and strategies for large-scale structure and function control is still limited. The analysis of new and unique living forms is crucial to uncover deep design principles of life. The concept of goal-seeking and problem-solving behavior in various environments is proposed as a powerful invariant across possible beings. The creation and analysis of novel living forms will be an essential testbed for the emerging field of diverse intelligence, with implications in regenerative medicine, robotics, and ethics.