In at least 150 words each, reply to at least 2 of your classmates’ threads. In your replies, emphasize why you agree or disagree with the post, articulate
Reply: In at least 150 words each, reply to at least 2 of your classmates’ threads. In your replies, emphasize why you agree or disagree with the post, articulate what additional important ideas are related to the ideas expressed in the post, and expand on the main points being made. You must give a well-thought reply that further advances the conversation and adds substance to the discussion.
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Student #1 E A
Transhumanism: Yes
When we hear the word transhumanism, we often think of ascending above our human flaws, going beyond what is considered normal. In recent news, public figure, Elon Musk, owner and inventor of the Tesla, has been working on a brain implant with his company named Neuralink. This implant would be placed in the brain and is designed to interfaced directly with the brain. This is a perfect example of Transhumanism. While there are many definitions of this belief is best termed as “a blanket term given to the school of thought that refuses to accept traditional human limitations such as death, disease and other biological frailties” (Lewis).
It is important to note that transhumanism is a spectrum of thinking. Some people adore and promote the idea of replacing all humanity with technology. Often, this is extreme opinion is associated with science fiction creatures such as cyborgs. However, most people who advocate for transhumanism no not have such extreme beliefs. The most positive argument for exploration in fields of transhumanism is the power of intervention it can have in the medical field. As mentioned earlier, Elon Musk is developing his brain implant. His main purpose for creating it is to help treat brain injury and trauma (Eadicicco, L).
I believe that transhumanism, in moderation, can be used for good and for the protection from health issues. However, it should be noted that in order for transhumanism to be ethical, there must be acknowledgment of a higher being. Isaiah 10: 15 makes the roles of God and action of men clear when it says, “Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!” (100 Bible Verses about Technology).
References
100 Bible Verses about Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.openbible.info/topics/technology
Eadicicco, L. (2020, May 07). Elon Musk says there’s a chance his AI-brain-chip company will be putting implants in humans within a year. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-chip-put-in-human-within-year-2020-5
Lewis, Human Genetics 12e. [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/97813074845…
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Student #2 J A
Transhumanism
The idea of transhumanism is a complicated topic. On one hand, enhancing the body in order to avoid a known inherited disease, or to overcome a physical disability can not, in my opinion, be seen in any way as a bad thing. On the other hand, enhancing the body by changing our God given senses and talents seems to be too much to me. I guess I would say that I agree with Maxwell Mehlman, who supports transhumanism, but on a limited basis. Part of me also agrees with MnNamee and Edwards in that allowing some things to pass would be a “slippery slope” and lead to something more than human. In “Moral Transhumanism,” Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu argue that as long as a person stays morally good, their biological humanity is unimportant. 1 I struggle with this argument for a few reasons. First, how can anyone in the medical field who may perform the change be sure that a person will in fact stay morally good just because they say they will? Also, who determines what is accepted as “morally good?” Do we have new laws or are these people supposed to base what they believe as good on religion? Next, if a person is not biologically human, what exactly are they? Creating something with a human-like mind, but above human-like body, or “post-human” as McNamee and Edwards called it, is crossing the line. The Bible tells us “But God gives it a body as He wants, and each of the seeds its own body. Not all flesh is the same; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, another for fish” (1 Corinthians 15: 38-39).2 We are also told in Genesis that we are created in His image. We are made exactly as we are, with all the right parts and pieces, so there should be no reason to change the parts of us that make us human, that give us the quality of being made in our Father’s image. However, as I said, I do partially agree with Melhman. Using certain modifications in order to live a full life with any measure of quality should be acceptable. As with my stance on human cloning, I do believe in using medical advances in order to correct an issue with our bodies. I do believe that God has had a hand in human scientific discovery, so we should freely use that gift when the need arises. If an individual loses a limb, for instance, adding a prostheses to be able to live a somewhat normal life is an amazing thing for that individual. I would even go as far as agreeing with Melhman in that certain individuals within specific career paths should take full advantage of enhancements that may make their job easier or safer.3 I would not put professional athletes, or even laborers in that category though. Surgeons and military members, who hold lives in their hands (literally and metaphorically respectively) should take the enhancements that may increase focus, or steady a hand. I also agree that government regulation should be pretty tight on the few situations that are acceptable. There needs to be someone that sets a line and ensures that no one is crossing that line to create something new from a human body.
1 Persson and Savulescu, The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 656.
2 All citations come from Holman Christian Standard Bible
3 Lewis, 465.
Bibliography
Lewis. Human Genetics 12e McGraw-Hill Create, 454-470.
Persson, Ingmar and Julian Savulescu. “Moral Transhumanism.” The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 35, no. 6 (2010): 656-669. doi:10.1093/jmp/jhq052. https://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=21076074&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Answer preview for In at least 150 words each, reply to at least 2 of your classmates’ threads. In your replies, emphasize why you agree or disagree with the post, articulate
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