What for, Vol. VIII No. 16/17, 2009.
Conference paper
Immortality and ethics
Ivan Cerovac
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Rijeka
Milja Juretić
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Rijeka
Helena Moderčin
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Rijeka
Abstract
As the Cambridge University professor Aubrey de Grey remarks, in 20 – 30 years human body enhancement will be made possible by new developments in genetic technology, enabling virtual immortality. Enhanced human beings would not die of old age, but only due to violent acts, infections, etc. This essay will discuss some of the most contemporary issues concerning human body enhancement. We will primarily discuss the identity of modified human beings, outlining the arguments of the most prominent opponents (Sandel and Kass), and supporters (Harris, Horrobin and Caplan) of body modifications. Then, we will discuss questions of distributive justice related to genetic body enhancement. The final part of the essay concerns issues of reproduction, the renewal of the human species and reproductive freedoms in a world populated by virtually immortal people.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
61676
URI
Publication date:
17.3.2009.
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