Replicant = Clone or Machine ?
So onto my question :
How do you consider the replicants? As machines or as clones?
When I was younger it was quite obvious to see them as "robots" because as a kid this concept is easier to understand. And the science behind cloning humans was definitely not as advanced as it is now and a more complicated thing for a child to understand. I think in the book DADoES its clearer that they are definitely androids with mechanical parts. Its been a while since I read it, but I seem to remember descriptions of springs and coils exploding out of the bodies when Deckard retires them.
More recently though, its possible to consider the replicants more as human clones, possibly with no mechanical parts whatsoever. But in the movie this is made ambiguous due to the terminology used. For example, Deckard clearly says "Its a machine" in the Tyrell building when he is VK-ing Rachel. But at other times, the words "genetic engineering" is mentioned which implies cloning. And again I believe Batty uses the term "bio-mechanical". Which is a combination of the two!
I assume that they early Nexus models were more basically how we would describe a traditional "robot". Almost completely mechanical. By the time we are at Nexus 6 though, it seems they are mostly biological, possibly with some mechanical enhancements. The thing that puzzles me still though, is the scene where Batty is told that "Tyrell designed your brain". If the Nexus 6 are simply clones, you wouldn't need to design a brain. You would just take the brain of a very intelligent person and clone it. The phrase used seems to suggest that the Nexus 6 brain is more like a computer. Very confusing.
Anyway, feel free to discuss. I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts!