Need help with a philosphy essay. Can computers think.

Need help with a philosphy essay. Can computers think. This is what i have so far.
Searle makes the argument that machines are not conscious supporting said argument with the famous thought-experiment known as the Chinese Room. In the Chinese Room, Searle imagines himself in a room following a computer program/script awaiting Chinese characters to be slipped under the door. Searle, not understanding Chinese is able to reply in Chinese characters by following the program for manipulating symbols and numerals just as a computer does thus fooling those outside the room into thinking that there is a Chinese speaker in the room. The conclusion being that computers can simulate understanding but do not hold real understanding. Searle never argues that computers can never attain consciousness rather that in our current technological state we cannot create a machine that is conscious until we understand human consciousness. Can’t we form a conscious machine now?

I disagree with Searle’s assertion that machines are currently incapable of consciousness. Consciousness is not entirely defined, it is merely topic of discussion until neuroscientist understand the processes of the brain and the separation between the functions and perception. Currently Functionalist and Biological Naturalist dominate this discussion in philosophy; however, I believe that the very basis in understanding philosophy without is scientific approach is flawed. Furthermore, the very basis of our understanding consciousness is from our human perspective of consciousness.