Selbstvermehrungskapazität

Selbstvermehrung, also referred to in English as self‑replication, denotes the capability of an entity to produce a copy of itself without external assembly. The concept is fundamental in biology, where it describes the process by which living organisms generate offspring, and in technology, where it underlies the design of autonomous machines and computer programs.

In biological systems, self‑replication is realized through cellular division mechanisms such as mitosis and meiosis. The genetic material, typically DNA, contains the instructions for assembling the components required for a new organism. Errors occurring during replication give rise to mutations, which constitute the raw material for evolution by natural selection. The principle also extends to viral replication, where viruses hijack host cellular machinery to produce progeny.

Artificial self‑replication has been explored in robotics, nanotechnology and software. In robotics, modular platforms can reconfigure and assemble additional units from a shared pool of parts, a capability useful for exploration in hazardous or resource‑limited environments. In nanotechnology, theoretical models such as the von Neumann universal constructor propose molecular assemblers that could fabricate copies of themselves and other structures. In computer science, self‑replicating code, exemplified by computer viruses and worms, propagates by embedding copies of its instructions into other programs or files.

Ethical and safety concerns accompany the development of autonomous self‑replicating systems. Uncontrolled replication could lead to ecological disruption, resource depletion, or the spread of malicious software. Consequently, research in this field incorporates containment strategies, replication limits, and regulatory oversight to mitigate potential risks.