New research suggests that cells may enter a mysterious “third state” after an organism’s death, challenging long-held views on life and consciousness. Scientists studying AI-designed multicellular organisms known as xenobots have found that some cells can reorganize and take on new roles beyond their original biological function, raising questions about whether individual cells exhibit a form of intelligence.
Microbiologist Peter Noble and bioinformatics researcher Alex Pozhitkov suggest that xenobots, and even human cells in certain conditions, display an ability to adapt and reform. Evolutionary biologist William Miller takes this further, arguing that cells might possess a level of consciousness, making decisions and solving problems beyond basic genetic programming.
This idea challenges traditional Darwinian evolution, where survival is often framed as competition. Instead, Miller suggests that cells operate in a cooperative manner, with success dependent on mutual support rather than dominance. However, many scientists remain skeptical, insisting that consciousness requires a nervous system and brain.
Despite the debate, researchers agree on one thing—understanding these cellular abilities could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, such as tailor-made treatments using a person’s own cells. Whether or not cells are conscious, they are undoubtedly playing a larger role in shaping the future of science and health.