Saturday’s Big Idea
Today's Big Idea: Transhumanism
The idea of transhumanism implies a rejection of the body, or at least the body's physical limitations. Transhumanists advocate a dramatic enhancement of human capabilities through the integration of technology with human biology.
Previously unthinkable versions of this involve patients opting for more extensive amputations that replace a limb with what Dominic Basulto describes as "a new generation of 'beautiful' prosthetics." Basulto also points to the example of a paralyzed woman who was able to complete the London Marathon with the aid of a bionic suit.
The biotech drug boom has also enabled athletes to enhance their performances, and one of the most notable transhumanist athletes is Lance Armstrong. What does his ability to hide his doping for over a decade say about where we are heading?
