body + pursuit of health

Question 1

malleable bodies - in terms of health?

Answer 1

transform body; medical advances make this easier.

transformations = problematic for nature + boundaries of our bodies

Question 2

define transhumanism

Answer 2

belief/theory that human race can + should evolve beyond current physical and mental limitations, esp by means of science + tech.

Question 3

transhumanism = consequences of “evolving” with techn

Answer 3

“posthuman” beings; indefinite lifespan, greater intellectual faculties + ability to control emotions
-> implications for overpopln; retirement age + progression of life w increased lifespan.

Question 4

what is bioconservatism

Answer 4

human enhancement tech might have harmful consequences.

• > post-human = threat to “ordinary” human: inferior, subserviant.
• > posthuman might degrade what it means to be human:

Question 5

donna haraway’s cyborg:

Answer 5

hybrid entities that breach established boundaries such as nature/culture; human/machine; living/dead

Question 6

4 evidence that we area already in posthuman era?

Answer 6

plastic body; interchangeable body; genetically engineered body; neurochemical self

Question 7

plastic body - what is it?

Answer 7

remake surface of body.
-> reconstructive surgery: disfiguring restored to normalcy of function + appearance. appeaerance is our identity, how does changing alter identity?

->cosmetic/aesthetic surgery: eliminate undesirable - botox on wrinkles, bno sweating.

Question 8

interchangeable bodies - what is it?

Answer 8

transforming interior of body

• > bionic body.
• • pacemaker, hips, cochlear implants.
• • brain-computer interface device: implanted within brain enables signals from brain to direct external activity
• > organ transplant; kinda routine now. same w xeno transplant ( other species to human)

Question 9

genetically engineered bodies - what is it?

Answer 9

• stem cells: 3D bioprinters to grow body using own person’s cells = not fast enough printing; but no issue w rejection
• in vitro fertilization + other fertility tech:
• prenatal screening for genetic disease - decision whether child with disability should live or not.
• gene therapy: CAR-T therapy for cancer. take T cells, engineer to destroy cancer cells + reinject. Luxturna: gene therapy for gradual blindness - cost?

Question 10

neurochemical selves

Answer 10

modification of though, mood + conduct by pharmacological means.

• > implications for personhood: rise in use of psychiatric medication: re-make self w pill = change life, identity + being a person.
• • fuzzy border: those that see self in it will insist on treatment. not to cure but treat from pathological to normal.
• > increasing prevalence of cognitive enhancement drugs: ritalin.

Question 11

5 ethical implications of enhancement technologies

Answer 11

1. safety
2. social pressure
3. fairness + euality
4. enhancement vs therapy
5. authenticity + personal identity
6. happiness + human flourishing

Question 12

safety implication of enhancement tech:

Answer 12

side-effect + long-term effect unknown.

- should threshold for safety of treatment for enhance over cure?

Question 13

societal pressure implication of enhancement tech?

Answer 13

pressure to conform, produce or compete may overwhelm better judgement

Question 14

fairness + equality implication of enhancement tech

Answer 14

double-standard.

exacerbate existing inequality

Question 15

enhancement vs therapy

Answer 15

finite health resources: who covered, what covered, how do we decide?

• exploitative
• measure of success?

Question 16

authenticity + personal identity

Answer 16

erasing authentic self with enhancement?

Question 17

happiness + human flourishing

Answer 17

crisis of meaning = what are we.

• flourish as result of enhancement tech or destroyed by it?