2047 was the year they began the great debate over what constitutes independent intelligent life with regard to artificial intelligence. In 2053 the Supreme Court ruled that a machine regardless of what level of intelligence it might approximate was still a machine and therefore not entitled to rights of any kind. In 2063 a thin flexible material was developed with the hope of replacing severely damaged skin tissue so that a person could still feel sensations of touch, hot and cold as they could have before they were injured. The material was never a success in human trails but found a market with android manufactures that created a whole new series of personal android companions who looked, felt, and functioned almost like their human counterparts. 2074 was the year that the first complaint of rape was filed against a human by an android. This again asked the question, what is intelligent life made of, and the debate divided the planet sharply over the issue. Many religions argued that androids did not have souls and could not and should not be considered alive. Some very progressive countries extended some basic rights to their androids while others went overboard in denying androids any kind of rights. Relationships between androids and humans were frowned upon and in some places outlawed completely. In 2078 the Supreme Court upheld its earlier ruling on the issue. Abuses against androids tripled. The androids on Earth found themselves with fewer rights than even what a pet dog or cat might enjoy. Hardwired with the 3 laws of robotics as their basic programming the androids became unwitting slaves to a master race. Interpersonal relationships between androids and humans were more than just frowned upon it was legislated against in many parts of the world. A female android could be used as a prostitute but not as a girlfriend. Many wondered at the sanity of that kind of mentality. Those willing to risk everything for love had to steal moments to themselves wherever and whenever they could.