Star Trek NG already dealt with this issue
So the question becomes are we humans the only species capable of expressing intellgience and feelings? Are animals not also capable of being sentient as well?
It seems to me no matter the receptacle (organic or otherwise) each could be equally defined as capable of expressing feelings and intellgience. It further seems to me whether organic or machine is of little matter. Only the fact both can.
Of course there is the human ego driven instinct for survival which might wish to deny it is possible. It then follows quite possibly machine intellgience may be so driven towards self survival as well. This could lead to devastating consequences in the future. One could say we'll simply switch these machines off. What if we can't?
