The document discusses human enhancement technologies (HET) and their potential applications, including various implants, prosthetics, and cognitive enhancers aimed at expanding human capabilities. It outlines current evaluations, future research directions, and various policy approaches towards HET in Europe, highlighting the need for public dialogue and safety controls. The paper also raises philosophical questions regarding human nature and the balance between enhancing abilities versus therapy.

1. Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

2. H uman E nhancement T echnologies Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

3. The Artificial Human of Today (below 5mio.$) artificial blood (oxycyte can carry 5 times more oxygen than hemoglobin) stents cochlear implant neurostimulator artificial vision system BCI implant bionic arm bionic hand bionic liver machine intelligent leg prosthesis implantable insulin pump neurostimulator/ implanted drug delivery system portable dialysis artificial heart artificial lung windpipe with stem cell technology euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org Internal Version Prepared for TNO artificial skin bio engineered ear hip replacement RFID implant artificial foot Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09

4. Definitions (M. Ji Sun): a human enhancement (HE) procedure is any kind of method that is aimed at increasing a human individual’s “ possibility space” of capabilities beyond the current status quo. human enhancement technologies (HET) are human enhancement procedures based on science and technology as methods.  goal: HET = safe and evidence-based HE Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

5. Goals of HE(T): enhance cognitive abilities enhance physical abilities modify psychology get non-human abilities life-span enhancement cognitive stimulants neurotechnology neurochips modified biological functions prosthetics/exoskeleton stimulants / medication neurotechnology night-vision technology etc. prosthetics/implants modified biological functions genetic engineering Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

6. “ Traditional” HE: specific practices (e.g. meditation, yoga, kung fu, body building) natural substances with HE-effects (e.g. green tea, coffee, ginkgo, marihuana, nicotine) conventional technology (e.g. telephone, car, crane) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

7. Current HET under Evaluation: medication (e.g. modafinil, ritalin, prozac) neurotechnology (e.g. TMS, neurostimulation, BCIs, deep brain stimulation) prosthetics / implants / surgery (e.g. exoskeletons, LASIK, functional body modification) genetic / biological HET (e.g. PID, “gene doping”, anabolic steroids) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

8. Future HET in Research: nan(bio)otech (e.g. nanobots, artificial immune system) anti-aging / Health-Life-Extension (medication for altering natural body functions, tissue engineering) genetic engineering (e.g. hybrids, artificial chromosomes) implants/prosthetics (“Cyborg” technologies, BCI) “ supersoldier” (US/DARPA) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

9. From Therapy to HET reconstructive surgery  cosmetic surgery  functional body modification anabolic steroids: used for therapeutic purposes (e.g. burns, anemia, osteoporosis)  (illegally) used by athletes/bodybuilders to enhance muscle mass (negative side effects) modafinil, ritalin etc.: therapy for nacrolepsy, ADHD  use for performance/cognitive enhancement (problem: insufficient proof regarding healthy subjects, dispute over negative side effects)  ? Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

10. From Therapy to HET prosthetics: assistance for disabled  improvement beyond the healthy normal (e.g. oscar pistorius) powered exoskeletons: developed to assist aged and weak persons  assistance for healthy people (e.g. in military, construction, rescue operations) gene therapy  same method is used for “gene doping” Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

11. From Therapy to HET artificial organs/tissue engineering  future: use for anti-aging and life-extension? nanomedicine  future: nano-based HET (e.g. respirocytes) medication against degenerating cognitive diseases (e.g. alzheimer’s)  future: cognitive enhancement for healthy? BCIs: help tetraplegics to communicate  future: neurochips for cognitive HET? Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

12. 5 Possible Approaches for Europe STOA-workshop on HET (Feb. 24, 2009 in EU-Parliament/Brussels) laisser faire (“libertarian” - let the individual and market decide) pro-enhancement (“technoprogressive” – allow and promote safe HET and prevent harm) case by case (“dutch approach” – give room to experiment and then find a solution from experience) restrictive ( “precautionary” – define strict limits in advance) total ban (“conservative” - total ban of HET) (source: Rathenau Institute) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

13. 5 Possible Approaches for Europe STOA-workshop on HET (Feb. 24, 2009 in EU-Parliament/Brussels) laisser faire (“libertarian” - let the individual and market decide) pro-enhancement (“technoprogressive” – allow and promote safe HET and prevent harm) case by case (“dutch approach” – give room to experiment and then find a solution from experience) restrictive ( “precautionary” – define strict limits in advance) total ban (“conservative” - total ban of HET) (source: Rathenau Institute) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

14. Outcome and Problems interest, but still no conclusions… discussion gets very philosophical (e.g. can Europe agree on a definition about human nature) shouldn’t we not concentrate on other issues than HET? (e.g. financial crisis, hunger, environment) if we ban HET, what about therapy and vice versa? more public dialogue is needed Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

15. Outcome and Problems interest, but still no conclusions, however… discussion gets very philosophical (e.g. can Europe agree on a definition about human nature) shouldn’t we not concentrate on other issues than HET? (e.g. financial crisis, hunger, environment) if we ban HET, what about therapy and vice versa? more public dialogue is needed  pragmatic approach (M. Ji Sun) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

16. Pragmatic Policy Approach (M. Ji Sun) premises: the necessary technology is there or under development people are interested in HE(T) (e.g. boom of energy drinks, natural HE-”medicine”) people will try out HET legally or illegally the current social climate may force HET practice (“destructive performance society”, performance norms) Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

17. Pragmatic Policy Approach (M. Ji Sun) proposal for legal considerations: ensure safety controls for HET  testing minimize fraud and wrongful claims  evidence-based harmful/disabling practices should be banned (HET should always maximize not minimize a human’s possibilities) symmetric evaluation of “natural HE” methods and HET consider both: improving technology or modifying humans to achieve a HE-goal (e.g. human factors research) create a favourable social climate of respect for diversity Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org

18. Dr. M. Ji Sun 09/03/09 euro-technoprogressives.50webs.org Culture/Economy Ecology Conservative Liberal Liberal Biopolitical Landscape „ Social Democrat“ Biopolitics „ Liberal“ Bright Dark „ Techno-Libertarian“ based on graphic by J. Hughes * „ Bio Conservatives“ humanists transhumanists „ Technoprogressive“