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Enhancing who? Enhancing what? Ethics, bioethics, and transhumanism
1Information Outreach, Ltd., 136 Hammersmith Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. tomkoch@interchange.ubc.ca
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Transhumanism and bioethics advocate for genetic enhancements, echoing historical eugenics. This paper argues for a distinct, constructive approach to human species advancement.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Genetics
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- Transhumanism and bioethics propose technological and genetic enhancements to alter humankind.
- These fields advocate for genetic selection to "enhance evolution" and improve future lives.
- This paper critiques these proposals as a modern iteration of eugenics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the arguments of transhumanists and bioethicists regarding human enhancement.
- To identify the historical parallels between current enhancement proposals and past eugenics movements.
- To propose an alternative framework for species advancement.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of transhumanist and bioethical literature.
- Historical comparison with eugenics movements.
- Philosophical argumentation.
Main Results:
- The arguments for human enhancement by transhumanists and bioethicists resemble historical eugenics.
- These approaches are presented as scientific but are argued to be destructive.
- The pursuit of enhancement is characterized as "bad faith" disguised as idealism.
Conclusions:
- Species advancement is achievable but requires a different paradigm than currently proposed.
- Critiques of transhumanism and bioethics highlight potential dangers and ethical concerns.
- A constructive path for human development must be distinguished from eugenic ideologies.
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