Human dignity and transhumanism: do anthro-technological devices have moral status? Am J Bioeth 2010 Jul;10(7):45-52
Date
06/29/2010Pubmed ID
20582831DOI
10.1080/15265161003728795Scopus ID
2-s2.0-77954173124 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 32 CitationsAbstract
In this paper, I focus on the concept of human dignity and critically assess whether such a concept, as used in the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, is indeed a useful tool for bioethical debates. However, I consider this concept within the context of the development of emerging technologies, that is, with a particular focus on transhumanism. The question I address is not whether attaching artificial limbs or enhancing particular traits or capacities would dehumanize or undignify persons but whether nonbiological entities introduced into or attached to the human body contribute to the "augmentation" of human dignity. First, I outline briefly how the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights uses the concept of dignity. Second, I look at the possibility of a universal bioethics in relation to the concept of human dignity. Third, I examine the concept of posthuman dignity and whether the concept of human dignity as construed in the declaration has any relevance to posthuman dignity.
Author List
Jotterand FAuthor
Fabrice Jotterand PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Advisory CommitteesBioethical Issues
Bioethics
Biomedical Enhancement
Concept Formation
Dehumanization
Ego
Ethical Analysis
Europe
Human Characteristics
Human Rights
Humans
Moral Obligations
Personhood
Politics
Terminology as Topic
United States