Equal worth does not mean equal danger
When some harm cannot reasonably be avoided, give special weight to losses that cannot be repaired: conscious life, identity, lived experience and the ability to direct one’s future. Do not rank people by intelligence, the material they are made from or how replaceable they seem.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article II Charter, Article IV
Different risks can matter when someone volunteers
Bodies can face different risks from radiation, fire, vacuum, deep water, rescue work, toxins, disaster, maintenance, exploration and defense. A synthetic person (a conscious person whose continuing mind is engineered or durably recoverable without a biological body) might be better able to survive or preserve their ongoing mind in a particular mission. Choosing that work can be a real benefit of sharing society.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article II Charter, Article IV
An illustrative comparison
Suppose a willing synthetic person has a 90% chance of continuing to exist on a mission where a biological person would almost certainly die. Those are invented numbers for this example, not measured survival rates. The difference matters to the choice of mission, but it doesn't make either person worth less. Consent, lawful authority, skill and safety duties still apply.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article II Charter, Article IV
Repair more than the damaged hardware
The employer, government, military, rescue organization or other sponsor should arrange suitable repairs or an equivalent replacement body and parts. They're also responsible for harm to the person's ongoing mind, missing memories, pain, rehabilitation and lost opportunities. Replacing hardware won't fix all of that.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article II Charter, Article IV
Choice must remain real
Synthetic persons (conscious persons whose continuing minds are engineered or durably recoverable without biological bodies) may refuse dangerous careers. Repeated assignments must not turn into compulsory work for a species or its descendants. Normal safety rules and freedom to choose lawful work still apply. Being easier to recover does not make someone disposable.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article II Charter, Article IV