Human Enhancement Technologies and Our Merger with Machines

by Woodrow Barfield

Author	: Woodrow Barfield
Publisher	: MDPI
Total Pages	: 226
Release	: 2021-06-15
Genre	: Technology & Engineering
ISBN	: 3036509046

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A cross-disciplinary approach is offered to consider the challenge of emerging technologies designed to enhance human bodies and minds. Perspectives from philosophy, ethics, law, and policy are applied to a wide variety of enhancements, including integration of technology within human bodies, as well as genetic, biological, and pharmacological modifications. Humans may be permanently or temporarily enhanced with artificial parts by manipulating (or reprogramming) human DNA and through other enhancement techniques (and combinations thereof). We are on the cusp of significantly modifying (and perhaps improving) the human ecosystem. This evolution necessitates a continuing effort to re-evaluate current laws and, if appropriate, to modify such laws or develop new laws that address enhancement technology. A legal, ethical, and policy response to current and future human enhancements should strive to protect the rights of all involved and to recognize the responsibilities of humans to other conscious and living beings, regardless of what they look like or what abilities they have (or lack). A potential ethical approach is outlined in which rights and responsibilities should be respected even if enhanced humans are perceived by non-enhanced (or less-enhanced) humans as “no longer human” at all.

Global Issues and Ethical Considerations in Human Enhancement Technologies

by Thompson, Steven John

Author	: Thompson, Steven John
Publisher	: IGI Global
Total Pages	: 349
Release	: 2014-04-30
Genre	: Computers
ISBN	: 1466660112

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With rapid advancements in human enhancement technologies, society struggles with many issues, such as definition, effects, participation, regulation, and control. Current and future initiatives in these technologies may not be in the participants best interests; therefore, it is imperative for research on humanitarian considerations to be available to those affiliated with this field. Global Issues and Ethical Considerations in Human Enhancement Technologies compiles prestigious research and provides a well-rounded composite of the fields role in emerging technologies. Addressing both present and future concerns, this publication serves as a valuable reference work for researchers, students, professionals, and practitioners involved in computer science and the humanities, as well as many engaged in a humanities approach to metasystems, new artificial life, and robotics.

Research Anthology on Emerging Technologies and Ethical Implications in Human Enhancement

by Management Association, Information Resources

Author	: Management Association, Information Resources
Publisher	: IGI Global
Total Pages	: 791
Release	: 2020-12-18
Genre	: Science
ISBN	: 1799881032

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Along with the introduction of technology in nearly every facet of human life comes the question of the ethical side of using technology to improve the human condition, whether that be physically or mentally. The capabilities of human enhancement technologies have created a dual-sided approach to discussing human enhancement: the critical approach of attempting to reach human perfection and the ethics within that idea and the endless capabilities of technology that have greatly impacted the medical field. It is essential to discuss both aspects within these emerging technologies, whether as separate entities or as cohesive units. Ranging from disease detection and treatment to implants and prosthetics to robotics and genetic engineering, human enhancement technologies are widespread and multi-purposed. By going beyond the capabilities of human hands, these technologies have propelled modern medicine and healthcare to new levels that have allowed humans to face new treatments or assistive technologies not seen before. The Research Anthology on Emerging Technologies and Ethical Implications in Human Enhancement covers the primary technologies and tools being used in medicine and healthcare along with discussions on the ethics of enhancing the human body. Topics covered include prosthetics and implants, robotics, human disorders/diseases and treatments and smart technologies, along with law and theory. This publication serves as a valuable reference work for doctors, medical professionals, researchers, students, professionals, and practitioners involved in fields that include ethics, medicine, computer science, robotics, genetics, assistive technologies, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.

Human Enhancement Technologies and Healthcare Policy

by Jacek Klich

Author	: Jacek Klich
Publisher	: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages	: 83
Release	: 2024-08-01
Genre	: Business & Economics
ISBN	: 1040097286

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Human enhancement (HE) is considered one of the most profoundly impactful effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This book presents the definition, theory, scope, and main challenges of HE from a health policy and healthcare systems perspective. It offers a comprehensive view of the consequences of human enhancement disrupting the status quo in health service delivery and social coherence. The book examines the latest achievements of HE, focusing on four forms of enhancement: cognitive, physical, mood and moral. These forms are supported by the list of specific technologies and techniques used for HE. The book identifies the current trends in HE's development and analyses the challenges that HE poses to health policy and healthcare systems. It discusses the legal and financial aspects of HE, including regulation and shows that the financing of HE goes far beyond the scope of universal health coverage, thus opening the door for private, voluntary insurance and/or out-of-pocket payments. This, in turn, leads towards growing inequalities, which may threaten social cohesion. Readers will receive a structured picture of the latest advances in HE and trends in the field, as well as a list of the challenges and problems that HE generates. The book offers a concise picture of HE for students and researchers across the political sciences, public health, public sector management, and sociology. It will also find an audience among healthcare managers, policymakers, and those who are interested in social change.

Medical Enhancement and Posthumanity

by Bert Gordijn

Author	: Bert Gordijn
Publisher	: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages	: 237
Release	: 2008-10-20
Genre	: Medical
ISBN	: 1402088523

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As we are increasingly using new technologies to change ourselves beyond therapy and in accordance with our own desires, understanding the challenges of human enhancement has become one of the most urgent topics of the current age. This volume contributes to such an understanding by critically examining the pros and cons of our growing ability to shape human nature through technological advancements. The authors undertake careful analyses of decisive questions that will confront society as enhancement interventions using bio-, info-, neuro- and nanotechnologies become widespread in the years to come. They provide the reader with the conceptual tools necessary to address such questions fruitfully. What makes the book especially attractive is the combination of conceptual, historical and ethical approaches, rendering it highly original. In addition, the well-balanced structure allows both favourable and critical views to be voiced. Moreover, the work has a crystal clear structure. As a consequence, the book is accessible to a broad academic audience. The issues raised are of interest to a wide reflective public concerned about science and ethics, as well as to students, academics and professionals in areas such as philosophy, applied ethics, bioethics, medicine and health management.

The Evolution of Moral Progress

by Allen Buchanan

Author	: Allen Buchanan
Publisher	: Oxford University Press
Total Pages	: 441
Release	: 2018-06-08
Genre	: Philosophy
ISBN	: 0190868430

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In The Evolution of Moral Progress, Allen Buchanan and Russell Powell resurrect the project of explaining moral progress. They avoid the errors of earlier attempts by drawing on a wide range of disciplines including moral and political philosophy, evolutionary biology, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, history, and sociology. Their focus is on one especially important type of moral progress: gains in inclusivity. They develop a framework to explain progress in inclusivity to also illuminate moral regression--the return to exclusivist and "tribalistic" moral beliefs and attitudes. Buchanan and Powell argue those tribalistic moral responses are not hard-wired by evolution in human nature. Rather, human beings have an evolved "adaptively plastic" capacity for both inclusion and exclusion, depending on environmental conditions. Moral progress in the dimension of inclusivity is possible, but only to the extent that human beings can create environments conducive to extending moral standing to all human beings and even to some animals. Buchanan and Powell take biological evolution seriously, but with a critical eye, while simultaneously recognizing the crucial role of culture in creating environments in which moral progress can occur. The book avoids both biological and cultural determinism. Unlike earlier theories of moral progress, their theory provides a naturalistic account that is grounded in the best empirical work, and unlike earlier theories it does not present moral progress as inevitable or as occurring in definite stages; but rather it recognizes the highly contingent and fragile character of moral improvement.

Promoting Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation - Intersections between Public Health, Intellectual Property and Trade

by World Intellectual Property Organization

Author	: World Intellectual Property Organization
Publisher	: WIPO
Total Pages	: 259
Release	: 2013
Genre	: Law
ISBN	: 9280523082

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This study has emerged from an ongoing program of trilateral cooperation between WHO, WTO and WIPO. It responds to an increasing demand, particularly in developing countries, for strengthened capacity for informed policy-making in areas of intersection between health, trade and IP, focusing on access to and innovation of medicines and other medical technologies.

Enhancing Evolution

by John Harris

Author	: John Harris
Publisher	: Princeton University Press
Total Pages	: 271
Release	: 2010-09-27
Genre	: Science
ISBN	: 1400836387

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In Enhancing Evolution, leading bioethicist John Harris dismantles objections to genetic engineering, stem-cell research, designer babies, and cloning and makes an ethical case for biotechnology that is both forthright and rigorous. Human enhancement, Harris argues, is a good thing--good morally, good for individuals, good as social policy, and good for a genetic heritage that needs serious improvement. Enhancing Evolution defends biotechnological interventions that could allow us to live longer, healthier, and even happier lives by, for example, providing us with immunity from cancer and HIV/AIDS. Further, Harris champions the possibility of influencing the very course of evolution to give us increased mental and physical powers--from reasoning, concentration, and memory to strength, stamina, and reaction speed. Indeed, he says, it's not only morally defensible to enhance ourselves; in some cases, it's morally obligatory. In a new preface, Harris offers a glimpse at the new science and technology to come, equipping readers with the knowledge to assess the ethics and policy dimensions of future forms of human enhancement.

The Ethics of Sports Technologies and Human Enhancement

by Thomas H. Murray

Author	: Thomas H. Murray
Publisher	: Routledge
Total Pages	: 524
Release	: 2020-07-26
Genre	: Philosophy
ISBN	: 1000151980

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This volume presents articles which focus on the ethical evaluation of performance-enhancing technologies in sport. The collection considers whether drug doping should be banned; the rationale of not banning ethically contested innovations such as hypoxic chambers; and the implications of the prospects of human genetic engineering for the notion of sport as a development of ’natural’ talent towards human excellence. The essays demonstrate the significance of the principles of preventing harm, ensuring fairness and preserving meaning to appraise whether a particular performance enhancer is acceptable in the context of sport. Selected essays on various forms of human enhancement outside of sport that highlight other principles and concepts are included for comparative purpose. Sport enhancement provides a useful starting point to work through the ethics of enhancement in other human practices and endeavors, and sport enhancement ethics should track broader bioethical debates on human enhancement. As a whole, the volume points to the need to consider the values and meanings that people seek in a given sphere of human activity and their associated principles to arrive at a morally grounded and reasonable approach to enhancement ethics.