This book explores what constitutes an enhancement fit for humanity in the age of nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, information technologies, and technologies related to the cognitive sciences. It considers the influence of emergent technology upon our understanding of human nature and the impact on future generations. Drawing on the Catholic tradition, in particular, the book gathers international contributions from scientific, philosophical, legal, and religious perspectives. Together they offer a positive step in an ongoing dialogue regarding the promises and perils of emergent technology for man’s integral human development.
What constitutes an enhancement fit for humanity in the age of nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, information technologies, and technologies related to the cognitive sciences? Drawing on the Catholic tradition in particular, international contributions from scientific, philosophical, legal, and religious perspectives.
Part 1 Scientific Perspectives on Emerging Technologies 1 Emerging and
Converging Technologies: The State of the Art in Therapeutics 2 Cognitive and
Memory Neuroenhancement 3 Is Neuroenhancement Ethical or Unethical?: An Open
Issue 4 Enhancement and Doping in Sports Part 2 Philosophical Perspectives on
Emerging Technologies 5 Anthropological and Neuroethical Elements of the
Pursuit of Neurocybernetic Immortality in the Global 2045 Initiative 6 For
and Against Human Enhancement 7 Human Nature and the Philosophical Challenges
of a Post-Human Society 8.Toward the Abolition of the Idea of Human Nature
and the Ushering in of Another "Advent of a New Man" 9 Healthier than
Healthy: The Moral Case for Therapeutic Enhancements 10 Resisting the
Temptations of Perfection 11 From Gender to Transgender and Transhumanism 12
A Thomistic Assessment of Contemporary Transhumanism as a Postmodern,
Secular, Liberal Movement Part 3 Social and Legal Perspectives on Emerging
Technologies; 13 Which Juridic Norms Should Regulate New Converging
Technologies? 14 The Impact of Neurotechnologies on Human Rights and Justice
Part 4 Religious Perspectives on Emerging Technologies and Transhumanism 15
Buddhist Reflections on the Development of Biotechnology 16 Islam and
Transhumanism 17 Questions and Answers on Human Enhancement in the Jewish
Tradition
Michael Baggot is Assistant Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy.
Alberto García Gómez is Pro-Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy and Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights.
Alberto Carrara is Coordinator of the Italian Research Group in Neurobioethics in Rome, Italy.
Joseph Tham is Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy.