Human Enhancement: are we going cyborg

Human enhancement: are we going cyborg?

Defining human enhancement
How could we use this technology?
How should we use it?
Who will decide this?

Human genetics
Justice ( Fairness and equity)
Autonomy (our right to choose)
Beneficence
Non-malfeasance
Societal disruption
Human dignity

Ethical thinkers
What is enhancement, what is cure/treatment? Who decides what qualities to enhance, treat or select for?
Would society be better off if it didn’t have to cope with the burden of people with disabilities, diseases or disorders?
What is unethical: to consign someone to the natural lottery of life or, now that we have the technology, ensure they have the best chance of living a normal, healthy…better life?
Who benefits - individual, society, both, neither?

How acceptable are the following:
Carbon nanotubes to repair neurological damage from Parkinsons, ALS, etc
CNTs to enhance cognitive ability
Genetic engineering of embryo to enhance cognitive ability (require less sleep, improve memory or ability to concentrate…)
Switch off disease-causing genes in early embryo (therapy?)
… or enhance its immune system to repel disease – free-radicals, DNA damage, age-related diseases…(cf to vaccination)
Restored sight – bionic eye (what if it was enhancing sight?)
Enhanced muscular strength via mechanical/bionic means
Improved muscular strength via genetic modification at embryo stage
Immortality??

Discussion
Can these technologies help society flourish in a just and sustainable way?
Who benefits – individuals, society, both?
Under what circumstances might the technology used in this way be acceptable?

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Human Enhancement: are we going cyborg

by TechNyou on Feb 22, 2010

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Human Enhancement: are we going cyborg — Presentation Transcript