![With the exception of low-level body-hacking, transhumanism is an expensive business. From genetic modification and cryonics to robo-prosthetics and smart drugs, it’s the playground of the privileged. But if a wealthy pioneer chooses to genetically engineer their perfect sproglet, who picks up the bill when it all goes wrong? And at what point does a perceived enhancement become so popular that it becomes the norm?
Steve Fuller believes that as people experiment with more enhancements, there is an impact on human identity as a whole, since the notion of enhancement relies on our understanding of what it means to be physically or mentally “normal”. This understanding, in turn, informs discussions about discrimination and justice. For example, according to the Equality Act 2010, businesses that provide a service to the public must make reasonable adjustments to their premises to give disabled access. What happens if bionic retinas with night vision or augmented reality becomes the norm? Should there be NHS provisions for the minority that don’t have access to the technology?
Furthermore, what happens if technological advances in prosthetics and exoskeletons mean that we no longer see what we currently perceive as disability in the same way? “At the moment construction issues around disability [disability parking spaces etc] presuppose that it’s an unfortunate thing.”
Fuller points out that it’s misguided to see transhumanism as a simple matter of individual choice since it has the potential to have a major impact on public policy and welfare provision. “We need to keep track of the kind of choices people are making. And if we are going to encourage it, we need to make it possible for everyone to have the opportunity to be involved.”](http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma6x5hauZB1rog5d1o1_500.jpg)
With the exception of low-level body-hacking, transhumanism is an expensive business. From genetic modification and cryonics to robo-prosthetics and smart drugs, it’s the playground of the privileged. But if a wealthy pioneer chooses to genetically engineer their perfect sproglet, who picks up the bill when it all goes wrong? And at what point does a perceived enhancement become so popular that it becomes the norm?
Steve Fuller believes that as people experiment with more enhancements, there is an impact on human identity as a whole, since the notion of enhancement relies on our understanding of what it means to be physically or mentally “normal”. This understanding, in turn, informs discussions about discrimination and justice. For example, according to the Equality Act 2010, businesses that provide a service to the public must make reasonable adjustments to their premises to give disabled access. What happens if bionic retinas with night vision or augmented reality becomes the norm? Should there be NHS provisions for the minority that don’t have access to the technology?
Furthermore, what happens if technological advances in prosthetics and exoskeletons mean that we no longer see what we currently perceive as disability in the same way? “At the moment construction issues around disability [disability parking spaces etc] presuppose that it’s an unfortunate thing.”
Fuller points out that it’s misguided to see transhumanism as a simple matter of individual choice since it has the potential to have a major impact on public policy and welfare provision. “We need to keep track of the kind of choices people are making. And if we are going to encourage it, we need to make it possible for everyone to have the opportunity to be involved.”
