Scientists have created robots that will self-replicate themselves out of spare parts. I heard about it on BBC World News. A use suggested for them is to send them to sattelites and out into space on repair missions.

My first thought was, is this another step on the way to creating thinking, self-aware, reproducing robotic life? The dreams of Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein, Dick and others coming true? The human race spawning a race of robotic intelligent beings?

My second thought was in response to a comment stating the reproduction is no longer limited to the biological sphere. Will this give fuel to the creationist ideology? Will they say, “See? See? This is evidence that we are right!” Will this (mistakenly) foist on us another round of conservative christian religionism?