Transhumanism: Is it feasible?

Transhumanism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies that greatly enhance longevity, mood, and cognitive abilities. Transhumanist thinkers study the potential benefits and dangers of emerging technologies that could overcome fundamental human limitations. Much controversy surrounds the transhumanism movement, questions such as technical feasibility and ethics arise. While I can see transhumanism's appeal realistically, human enhancement is a recipe for disaster.

Not only am I weary of the technical feasibility of transhumanism, but Public Health Professor Gregory stock is skeptical as well. In order for immediate changes to occur, humans' genetics, metabolism, and biochemistry would need to be directly manipulated. Many humans would find themselves deeply integrated into systems of machines but would remain biological. In relation to the issue of biocomplexity, the problem of unpredictability arises. Biologist Stewart Newman elaborates on this argument. She argues that transhumanism would create unacceptable risks to use such methods on human embryos. Moreover, because improvements and experimental outcomes in one species are not automatically transferable to a new species without further experimentation, there is no ethical route to genetic manipulation of humans at early developmental stages.

It is also worth mentioning that performing experiments, particularly ones with permanent biological consequences on developing humans, would be in violation of accepted principles governing research on human subjects. Not only is human experimentation unethical, but if it is successful, it could also be seen as potentially detrimental to the human species. If scientists are successful in enhancing human characteristics, it is worth noting that transhumanism can cause unfair human enhancement and many areas of life, including socially. Human enhancement is already seen in our society, for example, steroids. Athletes in sports utilize steroids to gain an unfair advantage over those who are not under their influence. For this very reason, steroids are prohibited. Who's to say that transhumanism will not result in unfair advantages that have a negative impact on society.

Additionally, there is a fear that human enhancement would result in a privileged section of society, according to M.J. Mcnamee and S.D. Edwards, an elite selection of society, could lead to the division of the human species into two different species. Two distinct human species, one having an unimaginable physical and economic advantage in comparison to the other, would be troublesome. As we witnessed in the animal kingdom over time, groups stemming from the same species eventually become incapable of breeding with one another, resulting from lower physical health and ability compared to the elite society. Meaning, human life would no longer exist as we know it today.

In its entirety, transhumanism is too unpredictable to implement into our current society. Without question, transhumanism could potentially provide benefits to human life. It is also worth noting it could result in extreme atrocities. Unfortunately, in order for transhumanism to be feasible more research must be done. However, in order to overcome fundamental human limitations, ethical limitations must be disregarded. Therefore human enhancement to this degree seems out of reach.