Transhumanism: Do We Really Want a Real Life Sci-Fi Movie?

Transhumanism is a theory-based movement which advocates for the enhancement of human condition through widely advanced technologies that can potentially enhance lifespans, mood, and cognitive ability. Some believe that these possible advances could lead to beings with abilities so different from our own, that they would be termed “posthuman beings”. At first glance, you would think transhumanism is a great advancement to human life, and an exciting new use of technology. However, with these possibilities come drastic consequences, and the term posthuman beings is a lot scarier than it sounds. Experts say that with too much genetic modification, us as humans will experience a loss of identity. Although there are many great possibilities that come with the transhuman ideals, I believe that there are too many risks that come with genetic modification, such as the proclaimed loss of identity.

If you have ever watched the TV series, Black Mirror, you can easily understand the detrimental effects of advanced technology on humans, and how the things that we believe to be improving the quality of human life are actually destroying it. For example, one episode featured an eye lens that can record your entire life and store it in your memories so that you can go back and rewatch any moment of your life. Who wouldn’t want to be able to re experience moments in their lives? This amazing innovation, however, soon became toxic to the human experience itself. No longer were people living their lives, but they were constantly living in their own pasts. Like any other modification to humans that the transhumanists believe in, there is a fear of getting so wrapped up in the technological aspects of life, that we lose the meaning of our own. Life comes with many limitations that we don’t realize actually form our human experiences. If we eliminate these boundaries in life, we are no longer giving our lives the meaning that it has.

In addition to the idea of losing life’s meaning, genetic engineering of humans will also blur the line between human and artifact. What I mean as an artifact, is that there will no longer be a clear line between natural and artificial. Although some may not view this as a bad thing, considering that many enjoy the artificial things in life (not that we’re addicted to our phones or anything), our lives may become absorbed in a fake version of life. There are many different perspectives on what genetic modification will actually produce, however in every sci-fi type of scenario, the effects are typically detrimental to the human state. The classic example is from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where a creature is formed from a scientist's idea, yet it becomes a “monster” and is quickly dehumanized within society. We would need to make sure that humans will still be viewed as humans if genetically engineered, and that they will not be dehumanized as an object. I believe that this is difficult to achieve when our minds constantly view technology as artificial.

It is beyond interesting to think about how much we are advancing into the future, especially when we are debating a topic so technologically advanced as transhumanism. There are so many astounding ideas that make the future seem so exciting and optimistic for human advancement. However, we must look past the longevity and cool cognitive features, and think about the effects on pure human life that may take place because of these advances. Losing the meaning of life to technology is a terrifying and very real idea. When we begin to dehumanize our very own kind, it will tear society apart. I believe that the enhancements of human conditions that come with the transhumanism beliefs should stick to the sci-fi entertainment industry.