“Doing what’s never been done before is intellectually seductive. . .whether or not  we deem it practical”

-Neil deGrasse Tyson

I. Defining Transhumanism

II. Associated Controversies

III. Timeline of Transhumanism

IV. Genetic Engineering and CRISPR Technology

VI. Physical Enhancement

VII. Artificial Intelligence

VIII. Religious Complications

What is Transhumanism?

Transhumanism

“promotes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and evaluating the opportunities for enhancing the human condition and the human organism opened up by the advancement of technology.” (Nick Bostrom, 2005)

But what’s the Human Condition?

Human Condition

the positive and negative aspects of existence as a human being, especially the inevitable events such as birth, childhood, adolescence, love, sex,reproduction, aging, and death (Dictionary.com)

And, what is Enhancement?

Enhance

heighten, increase especially:  to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness (Merriam-Webster)

This video provides an introduction to key ideas of Transhumanism (Breitbart, 2013).

Today, there is a baseline level of scientific understanding that you must have to be taken seriously and it is commonplace for us to use technology to make our lives better (i.e. easier, healthier, more comfortable). In many ways Transhumanism is already here. You, or someone you know might be prescribed Adderall, a psychoactive drug designed to enhance focus. There is probably a device in your pocket that you have a symbiotic relationship with, granting you capabilities that the President of the United States did not have twenty years ago. Advances in medical science have increased the average human life expectancy by twenty years in the past century alone. These are all enhancements of the human condition and they are not going to stop (Warren, 2017).

Some might think of Transhumanism as genetically optimized designer babies, or physical/cognitive integration with machines, or space colonization, or malicious robots hell bent on world domination and they would be right. But recognize that the immature forms of these lofty technologies, and so many others, are already here. We are preventing genetic disease with PGD screening of IVF embryos, we are using our phones and laptops as extensions of our minds, and we already have space stations and mapping probes beyond earth. There is no turning back. Will we become something else? 

Controversy; What is Too Far?

We can all probably agree that using modern genetic engineering and reproductive technologies to prevent people from having Cystic Fibrosis is a good thing. But what about when we can use reproductive technology to decide on the eye color, height, athletic ability, or intelligence of our offspring? Is that too far?

We can all probably agree that using advanced prosthetics to help a paraplegic walk again is a good thing? But what about when those same advanced prosthetics are better than normal human limbs? Would it make sense to replace your arms, or legs, or eyes with better ones? Is that too far?

We can all probably agree that using advanced computer algorithms to interpret research data and eventually develop a cure for cancer would be a good thing. But what about when we develop General Artificial Intelligence, the machine that is better than humans at every task? Will we be obsolete? Is that too far?

Most of these questions are not a matter of if, but when. Unless something pretty dramatic happens will always be propelling science and technology forward. So what do we do about these scary possibilities?

We need to ask ourselves how much enhancement we will tolerate? If we enhance ourselves, and the generation after ourselves will they tolerate more enhancement than we did? How will goal posts move as we make progress?

We should move forward responsibly. We should imagine what the ideal outcome for our species would look like. We should have a conversation about what we want out of life, about what should be considered human flourishing.

 

Timeline

 

Genetic Engineering and CRISPR Technology

CRISPR technology essentially involves the cutting out and pasting of a specific DNA sequence or gene into a living organism’s genome (Shalem et al., 2014). Altering the genetic makeup of an organism subsequently, alters phenotypic traits. This technology is being researched and developed for genetic screening, excision and/or replacement of potentially disease-causing genes or DNA mutations.

Please watch the video: Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever, Courtesy of Kurzgesagt

However, there exists the potential for “editing” out unfavorable physical characteristics and inserting more desired traits. This opens the door to ethical issues with “designer babies” and parental genetic editing for non-scientific and non-disease-preventing reasons, for example preferring a blonde-haired blue-eyed child. It is important then, to “draw a line,” to only allow certain usages of this technology that would enhance the quality of life of a child or prevent them from developing a genetic disease. If the technology of genetically designing babies were to be socially and ethically acceptable, what kind of world would be created?

Video from UC Berkely

CRISPR technology is amazing in its ability to stop the progression of a disease or cancer at the source with incredible accuracy and ease. But when we move beyond avoiding the negative to enhancing the positive the conversation becomes more controversial. However, if CRISPR is used for other human features or traits, what kind of socio-economic barrier might be created? If (and when) this technique starts being used more frequently and people become comfortable with the concept, in the beginning, it will most likely only be available to those who can afford it. This will create a new level of class separation, biological class separation in addition to the social and economic separation that already exists. Those who cannot afford this kind of human enhancement could be excluded and discriminated in the workplace, academics, and social interactions. While these problems are almost guaranteed to arise, eventually gene editing technology will become a social norm and will be as common as having a smartphone in your pocket, creating a new society built on “perfect” humans.

Physical Enhancement

Transhumanism and enhancement can be utilized in more ways than just making people stronger, faster, smarter, etc. it can help better the way of life for people who struggle day to day with physical disabilities, for example people who are paralyzed. Scientists came up with a nanotechnology that is placed in a brain enabling a quadriplegic person to use their brain in order to move perform functions with some assistance. 

It can also help people who have sensory impairments. A sensory impairment is described as one of the senses, sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste and spatial awareness no longer functioning normally. An example of how a technology can be used to enhance impaired senses is, Neil Harbisson.

Neil Harbisson’s Ted Talk  “I listen to color”

As a completely color blind man, only able to see in grayscale, he was enhanced for the better. Neil surgically had a sensor attached to his brain in order to listen to the wave frequency of color. He took this ability an soared creating sounds to people and colors to their sounds, which is so unique and amazing to this world because no one has done such a thing before.

“We should all think that knowledge comes from our senses, so if we extend our senses, we will consequently extend our knowledge. I think life will be much more exciting when we stop creating applications for mobile phones and we start creating applications for our own body.” (Harbisson, 2012)

Our senses are the way we perceive life so why shouldn’t we take it to a whole other level maybe humans could find something more to life. Touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste each if changed on its own could change a perspective for someone, let alone if all of them here enhanced there is no telling what people could do for themselves and this world.

Artificial Intelligence

When we were cavemen, our best tools were sharp rocks attached to long sticks. Thousands of years later our best tools are super computers. Artificial intelligence is much farther along than many people would like to think. Siri can find you a nice restaurant to stop at for lunch on your road trip. Complex algorithms allow banks to make informed decisions about how they should structure the terms of a loan based on an individual’s credit worthiness. These are things that are already happening. Artificial intelligence is seen by many as an inherent good, more intelligence solves problems. The problem of being unable to cure a disease is problem of intelligence. Either you have the data but lack the means to analyze it or you need to construct the proper experiment to acquire the relevant data, both are problems of intelligence. These are the sort of problems that IBM Watson is grappling with at this very moment. General artificial intelligence is not the just the solution to many of the problems we have, it is the solution to every problem we have. But when we build artificial intelligence that is as smart as we are, it will not remain as smart as we are, it will immediately race past us. Electronic circuits function much faster than biochemical ones, this machine will not get tired or bored, it will work tirelessly to, not only solve problems, but to improve upon itself so that it can solve problems more efficiently.

But we need to think about what it will mean when General Artificial Intelligence gets here. What if one individual, or one company, or one government develops the machine that solves every problem? What does that mean for wealth distribution? If Google or IBM builds this technology, that means that they can put everyone in the world out of a job, because they have the machine that does everything better than we ever could. Do we all slide into poverty and despair while a couple hundred business executives take over the world? Or do we use this technology to make everyones’ life better?

What if one country gets there first? Do they get to take over the world? What if we find out the Russia or China is on precipice of creating this technology? How do we respond? An arms race is the worst case scenario for the development of this technology. An arms race forces those who are competing to develop this technology first to get into the end zone at all costs even if that means cutting corners. This is the technology that will put everyone out of a job and no one seems to be worried about what we will do when Google or Facebook gain access to the machine that does everything in a capitalist system.

One can easily imagine the potential for tremendous destruction resulting from many of the technologies we are currently developing and scientific achievements we are making.There is a strange and terrifying Promethean quality to this opportunity that science and technology is presenting us with. Artificial Super Intelligence could misalign with human goals and crush us the same way we crush ants (Warren, 2017). Or it could solve every problem we have, and every problem we ever will have.

Religion

More often than not, science and religion clash in terms of their beliefs and values. Many religious folk focus on the notion that certain aspects of science can be seen as “playing God” or even “taking the place of God” in a way.

When thinking about today’s technologically advanced world, David Masci asserts “many thinkers from different disciplines and faith traditions worry that radical changes will lead to people who are no longer either physically or psychologically human” (Masci, n.d.). These religious oppositions brings in the emotions aspect from Nussbaum’s Capabilities. This capability has a sub definition of being controlled by fear or anxiety, which is essentially what the concerns are fueled by. People fear the unknown, and the unknown is very much so what the idea of transhumanism is. Transhumanism has the capability of progressing humans so far from its natural evolutionary path that it’s a common theme to not know the full extent of the outcomes. Even though the technology will often times do what it’s meant to do, it can also deviate and do something unexpected such as altering the human body and/or mind to “live” forever. Once someone has undergone any aspect of transhumanism they will be on their way to being their ideal 

self in the flourishing society they have in mind. But as with each technological transformation towards their ultimate self, they will be on the path to becoming the perfect human being. If transhumanism enhancements get taken too far, this could also be seen as the end of the human species. It would also violate God’s intent of the body being a temple as well as us being made in the image of God. Another outcome could be that the more perfect they get from being enhanced, the more they may view themselves as becoming a God. If transhumans surpass the probability of death, there would also be no possibility of salvation by Christ. Because of these harsh realities and obvious ethical dilemmas, it is easy to see why the religious faction steers away from transhumanism.

This was a collaborative class project that represents multiple viewpoints. Some views may not be shared by all contributors to this page.

References

Brietbart, P., Vega M. [British Institute of Posthuman Studies]. (2013, Nov 5).PostHuman: An Introduction to Transhumanism. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTMS9y8OVuY.

Harbisson, N. (n.d.). I listen to color. (2012, June) Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://www.ted.com/talks/neil_harbisson_i_listen_to_color?language=en

Harris, Sam. (2016, June). Can we build AI without losing control over it? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_harris_can_we_build_ai_without_losing_control_over_it#t-609612

Ian Johnston Science Correspondent. (2017, March 28). Paralysed man moves arm for first time since accident using brain implant that reads his thoughts. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/paralysed-man-moves-arm-for-first-time-in-years-using-brain-implant-that-can-read-his-thoughts-a7654761.html

Istvan, Z. (2016, February 24). To Ensure a Future of Transhumanism, Atheists Should Confront the Deathist Culture Religion Has Sown. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoltan-istvan/should-atheists-confront-_b_9303396.html

Leonhard, G. (2016). Technology versus Humanity. Retrieved April 3, 2017, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/gleonhard/28986997371/in/photostream/

London Real TV (2015, August 11). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJJSB10su0&t=140s

Masci, D.(n.d.). Human Enhancement. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/essay/human-enhancement-the-scientific-and-ethical-dimensions-of-striving-for-perfection/#

Munkittrick, K. (2011). When Will We Be Transhuman? Seven Conditions for Attaining Transhumanism – Science Not Fiction : Science Not Fiction. Retrieved March 30, 2017, from http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2011/07/16/when-will-we-be-transhuman-seven-conditions-for-attaining-transhumanism/#.WN0RghLys1g

Shalem, O., Sanjana, N. E., Hartenian, E., Shi, X., Scott, D. A., Mikkelsen, T. S., … Zhang, F. (2014). Genome-Scale CRISPR-Cas9 Knockout Screening in Human Cells. Science, 343(6166). Retrieved from http://science.sciencemag.org/content/343/6166/84

Taylor, R. (2015, October 15). Transhumanism: Taking the Place of Our Creator. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from www.catholiclane.com/transhumanism-taking-the-place-of-our-creator/

Pyle, Amanda-Leigh (2017, April). Transhumanism: Merging Man and Technology. Unpublished Essay submitted to ISAT 456.

Warren, Harold (2017, April). The Future We Want. Unpublished Essay submitted to ISAT 456

 

About the Authors – Cole, Marissa, Emily, Noelle, and Amanda are ISAT 456: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Biotechnology students at James Madison University who have been focusing on Transhumanism.