Author: James Hughe

 ISBN: 0813341981

The following review was contributed by: Paul Lappen: CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews 

New technologies are coming in the near future that
have the potential to radically change what it means
to be human. This book looks at why democratic
societies must respond to things like cloning, genetic
engineering and nanotechnology, instead of pretending
that they don't exist.

What the author calls "bio-Luddites" are opposed to
such new technologies, because they feel that mankind
should be happy with its 70 (or so) years of life,
characterized by increasing bodily disfunction in its
later stages. Another reason for opposition is the
vague, but always there, possibility of a disaster
unleashing some new plague on the world. Some people
say that taboos and gut feelings are the path to
wisdom. If a new technology feels spooky, ban it
immediately. The Catholic Church opposes such things
because they are supposedly offensive to God.

On the other hand, if a person is found to be a
carrier for, or genetically susceptible to, Disease X,
don't they have the right to fix their DNA (assuming a
safe and reliable method can be found to do so)? Those
who call themselves transhumanists (based on humanism)
believe that people should have the right to modify
their bodies, whether the quest is for greater
intelligence, longevity or a happier outlook on life.
They are the first to assert that there must be
adequate discussion beforehand, and adequate
safeguards after the introduction of a new technology.
Such things must also be available to all people,
through some sort of universal health insurance, not
just to the rich. Transhumanists have no desire to
take over the world, but one of the subjects for
social consideration has to be how to extinguish
potential schisms between humans and posthumans. To
those who think that some new regulatory agency is
needed, the author does not agree. Agencies like the
FDA and EPA will be able to do the job, if they ever
get the funding and authority needed. Don't forget
that 25 years ago, in vitro fertilization was
considered an abomination; now it is practically
mainstream.

This is a pretty specialized book, but it shouldn't
be. Like it or not, the new technologies described in
this book are coming in the near future. It is better
to start discussing, now, how to deal with them,
instead of just saying No. The reader may not agree
with everything in this book, but it is an excellent
place to begin that discussion.