Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamuengineering/2074176356/
Scientists are experimenting with different ways to enhance humans. What's possible? And what may be possible in the future? Does messing with Mother Nature raise ethical questions?
"We now have the potential to banish genes that kill us, make us susceptible to cancer, heart disease, depression, addictions, obesity, and to select those that may make us healthier, stronger, more intelligent." But should we?
Fascinating essay defends use of biotech, nanotech to enhance human capabilities - physical, intellectual, emotional. "People who don’t want enhancement for themselves should allow those of us who do to go forward without hindrance"
If there was a cheap device that improved your language skills, maths, memory, general reasoning, would you buy it? Hope you never have to answer that? Well, now you might. Looks like "transcranial direct current stimulation" works
Conversation with bioethicist Allen Buchanan. Interesting throughout. "It might turn out that the only way to prevent us from going extinct, or to prevent some great worsening of our condition, is to enhance some of our capacities"
"If what is or is not an ethical truth is contingent on the types of biological organisms that we are, then changing the types of biological organisms that we are will change the nature of what is or is not ethical." Discuss
Interesting topic, thoughtfully handled. If neuroscience let us perform "memory dampening", would it be ethical? People worry because our experiences seem central to personal identity. But so too did consciousness. Until anaesthesia
Journalist tries virtual reality weapons training: "I am failing miserably. I'm so demoralised that I'm tempted to put down the rifle and leave." But then they bring out the electrodes, and wire her brain to a nine-volt battery
"Assuming we don't blow up the world, or fall into another catastrophic failure mode, humans will inevitably focus on using advanced technology to cheat death." Scientist, ethicist discusses how, and what it might mean for society
Interesting look at some cutting-edge science. Israeli researchers are working to replace parts of a rat's brain with digital equipment. They hope to do the same for people with brain injuries. But would society let them?
