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HandWiki. Grey Goo. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/28389 (accessed on 25 September 2026).
HandWiki. Grey Goo. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/28389. Accessed September 25, 2026.
HandWiki. "Grey Goo" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/28389 (accessed September 25, 2026).
HandWiki. (2022, October 08). Grey Goo. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/28389
HandWiki. "Grey Goo." Encyclopedia. Web. 08 October, 2022.
Grey Goo
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The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Grey_goo

Grey goo (also spelled gray goo) is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all biomass on Earth while building more of themselves, a scenario that has been called ecophagy ("eating the environment", more literally "eating the habitation"). The original idea assumed machines were designed to have this capability, while popularizations have assumed that machines might somehow gain this capability by accident. Self-replicating machines of the macroscopic variety were originally described by mathematician John von Neumann, and are sometimes referred to as von Neumann machines or clanking replicators. The term gray goo was coined by nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler in his 1986 book Engines of Creation. In 2004 he stated, "I wish I had never used the term 'gray goo'." Engines of Creation mentions "gray goo" in two paragraphs and a note, while the popularized idea of gray goo was first publicized in a mass-circulation magazine, Omni, in November 1986.

self-replicating robots self-replicating mass-circulation

References

  1. Dr Eric Drexler - Nanotechnology: The Big Picture https://youtube.com/watch?v=50iAoe7bs9o?t=3385
  2. "Modern Marvels: Doomsday Tech DVD". History Channel. 2004-12-28. http://shop.history.com/modern-marvels-doomsday-tech-dvd/detail.php?p=69102. Retrieved 2013-07-28. 
  3. Freitas Jr., Robert A. (April 2000). "Some Limits to Global Ecophagy by Biovorous Nanoreplicators, with Public Policy Recommendations". http://www.rfreitas.com/Nano/Ecophagy.htm. Retrieved 28 December 2009. 
  4. Drexler, K. Eric (1992). Nanosystems: molecular machinery, manufacturing, and computation. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-57518-4. http://www.e-drexler.com/d/06/00/Nanosystems/toc.html. 
  5. "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties". The Royal Society. http://www.nanotec.org.uk/finalReport.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-23. 
  6. "Leading nanotech experts put 'grey goo' in perspective" (Press release). Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 2006-06-17. http://www.crnano.org/PR-IOP.htm
  7. "Current Results of Our Research". Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. http://www.crnano.org/dangers.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-17. 
  8. Rincon, Paul (2004-06-09). "Nanotech guru turns back on 'goo'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3788673.stm. Retrieved 2012-03-30. 
  9. Phoenix, Chris; Eric Drexler (August 2004). "Safe Exponential Manufacturing". Nanotechnology 15 (8): 869–72. doi:10.1088/0957-4484/15/8/001. http://rachel.org/lib/safe_exponential_manufacturing.040601.pdf. 
  10. "Foresight Guidelines for Responsible Nanotechnology Development". Foresight Institute and IMM. http://www.foresight.org/guidelines/current.html. Retrieved 2012-05-07. 
  11. Vallero, Daniel (2007). Biomedical Ethics for Engineers: Ethics and Decision Making in Biomedical and Biosystem Engineering. Academic Press. ISBN 9780080476100. 
  12. Irving, Dianne (October 28, 1999). "Science, the formation of conscience and moral decision theory". Proceedings of the Guadalupan Appeal: The Dignity and Status of the Human Embryo, Mexico City, Mexico. 
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