Even with their short life spans, the Nexus-6's can cause a lot of damage with their increased strength and speed. Roy Batty led an off-world revolt that presumably resulted in the deaths of many humans. They committed more murders on Earth. They were designed to be slave labourers but exceeded their programming by developing emotions. They were ambitious, and that superority probably gave them a sense of entitlement like longer life spans and basic rights. This frightened society...a society that did not recognize the Replicant's humanity, and further dehumanized them by calling their deaths, "retirements".

@Dark_Sithlord said:

Even with their short life spans, the Nexus-6's can cause a lot of damage with their increased strength and speed. Roy Batty led an off-world revolt that presumably resulted in the deaths of many humans. They committed more murders on Earth. They were designed to be slave labourers but exceeded their programming by developing emotions. They were ambitious, and that superority probably gave them a sense of entitlement like longer life spans and basic rights. This frightened society...a society that did not recognize the Replicant's humanity, and further dehumanized them by calling their deaths, "retirements".

Indeed. Fair enough, thanks.

It's interesting - if they had no emotions, it'd be dangerous because they'd have no remorse or compassion...but having developed emotions, they were dangerous from a sense of self-preservation, ambition...can't win for trying!

I should also say I found the use of the term "slave" in the movie's opening narrative to be odd - human beings with the dignity of free will who've been forced to work against their will for unfair pay can be called slaves - but we don't refer to horses, oxen or other beasts of burden as slaves, even though they do possess the dignity of being a living thing. Replicants are machines, built by design and intent to serve humanity - how could they be called "slaves" unless their free will was supposed to be recognized?

Interesting point. But it does not call them slaves. It states "as slave labor". As I remember, "slave" is not referenced by anyone else but the Replicants in the the movie beside this beginning narration. Also the text in the beginning seem quite biased to think humans are bad.... so, I put this reference in the story teller who wanted to tell his story on how the Replikants are not that different ... and so, imo, it has merits.

Going back to the; "as slave labor": It was also explained that there were virtually no difference between them and humans and that they first worked along side humans and were used in especially hard environments. In other words designed as a replacement for human labor (not human work), there is a difference imo), except they are unpaid and under no rights otherwise enjoyed by the humans. So by definition and for the point of view of a fired human, I dare say it would be fair to call it "as slave labor"..