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About a "Post-Human" Future & Human Biotechnology


Most observers acknowledge that human biotechnologies are likely to create serious challenges for individuals and society. Some people, however, deny or downplay their risks and challenges, and uncritically embrace the dramatic changes they believe human biotechnologies will bring. These enthusiasts tend to oppose public oversight, and to urge the unfettered commercial development of enhancement technologies.

For the past several years, a small but influential network of mainstream scientists, bioethicists, and others has been actively promoting the unfettered development of inheritable genetic modification (changing the genes passed on to future generations) and the expanded use of selection technologies such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. Most of them acknowledge that these applications are likely to exacerbate existing inequalities and to create new forms of inequality. They often argue that such developments are inevitable.

"Transhumanists" are a marginal but vocal group of self-described futurists who promote human biotechnologies and other scientific advances as a means to "enhance" physical and cognitive abilities and "transcend" aspects of the human condition such as aging and dying. Their ideas are often seen as a replay of eugenics - the belief that science can and should be used to "breed" people with "superior" qualities.

Some transhumanists want to recast "eugenics" as a positive term, distinguishing their vision from past government-mandated eugenics policies. They are comfortable allowing market forces to shape these technologies and their social impact, arguing that government should have no role in developing, promoting, or regulating human biotechnologies.

Many transhumanists embrace libertarian social and political values, and some have attracted support in more mainstream libertarian circles.



A New Technique for Human Genetic Modification?by Pete ShanksBiopolitical TimesMay 1st, 2012Chinese scientists have developed a new way to reproduce genetically modified mice, and are already speculating about human applications.
Discussing Transhumanism on Al-Jazeeraby Pete ShanksBiopolitical TimesApril 5th, 2012Al Jazeera, the global TV and multimedia news organization, recently featured a discussion of transhumanism.
A Burst of Useful (Not Utilitarian) Bloggingby Pete ShanksBiopolitical TimesMarch 22nd, 2012Bioethicists' articles about the permissibility of infanticide and a pill for racism have been drawing a buzz of outrage.
Writing Your Baby’s Synthetic Genome: Genetic Engineering for the Facebook Generationby Daniel SharpBiopolitical TimesMarch 22nd, 2012A growing chorus of synthetic biology advocates is promoting using the new tools for "enhancing" future generations.
Bioengineer Humans to Tackle Climate Change, Say Philosophersby Leo HickmanGuardianMarch 14th, 2012The authors of a controversial recommendation say their critics have misunderstood the nature of philosophical inquiry.
Unnatural Selection: Is Evolving Reproductive Technology Ushering in a New Age of Eugenics? [Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Carolyn AbrahamsThe Globe and MailJanuary 7th, 2012Modern day assisted reproduction offers a whole new approach to baby-making, one that gives people an unprecedented power to preview, and pick, the genetic traits of their children.
Scientists Grow Sperm in Laboratory Dish The TelegraphJanuary 2nd, 2012Scientists have made a major breakthrough that could soon see human sperm grown in the laboratory.
Larry King: I Want To Be FrozenNo Topic Off Limits At 'Dinner With The Kings' by Katie McLaughlinCNNDecember 2nd, 2011On a Larry King Special, "Dinner with the Kings," Larry King announced his plans to be frozen when he dies.
Dystopian "In Time" and Inequalities in Our Timeby Emily BeitiksBiopolitical TimesDecember 1st, 2011The dystopian future of Andrew Niccol's new film, In Time, resonates with current inequalities.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Healthiest One of All?by Emily BeitiksBiopolitical TimesNovember 16th, 2011High-tech "consumer health" gadgets - from a bathroom mirror that measures your health stats to an iPhone app for diagnosing your symptoms - are ineffective techno-fixes for wider social problems.
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