Recent developments combining machines and organisms have great potentials, but also give rise to major ethical concerns. In their review, KIT scientists discuss the state of the art of research, opportunities, and risks. The review is published now by the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. ("The Chemistry of Cyborgs—Interfacing Technical Devices with Organisms"). They are known from science fiction novels and films – technically modified organisms with extraordinary skills, so-called cyborgs. This name originates from the English term “cybernetic organism”.