Caroline A.

Lozano Case Analysis in TM 601

Case Analysis: Building a Better Human

! To build a better human or not to build a better human. Is that the question? Well,

building a better human has been the greatest challenge to church, schools, and government

since the beginning of time that these institutions existed. From the Ten Commandments to

the present government laws...they all addresses the same issue, i.e. building a better

human. The society that each of us belonged to have its own norms and culture that we have

to adapt to and cope up with.

! We have all been a living witness to the fate of handicapped, less deprived, mentally-

ill, and retarded citizens. Since early part of the 20th century especially in advanced

countries, the government acknowledged the fact that the presence of these type of people

has become a liability. Thus the rise of eugenics or the selective breeding and castrations

being applied to people with physical and psychological problems, although eugenics can be

traced back to ancient Rome.

! At present, with the advancement in technology, scientists and engineers have

developed sophisticated means of addressing this issue. Scientists and engineers have

integrated technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and

cognitive science to improve human performance.

! As a result, we have seen people with lost limbs who were able to regain their self

esteem thru the use of their new “bionic” arms or legs. Thanks to technology. Thanks to the

scientists and engineers who were able to come up with a solution to their misery. We have a

long list of artificial parts of the body that extends the lifespan and restore manʼs capabilities.

Artificial legs. Artificial arms. Artificial hands and fingers. Artificial heart. Artificial Brain?
Caroline A. Lozano Case Study in TM 601
August 14, 2010 Dr. Dionisio Expression Jr.

! We have heard of artificial intelligence and its applications but not artificial brain. Not

yet as we all know or else most scientists would have ceased their quest.

! We have seen robots that can perform some mechanical tasks that man usually does.

The productivity in doing repetitive tasks have increase significantly with precision and

efficiency with the use of automated machines and robots. This is a classic example of an

application of artificial intelligence. Used of robots has increased tremendously in the recent

years for more advanced countries. This advancement on the other hand have resulted into

job displacement of many workers, caused them anxiety and degraded their status of living.

! Another breakthrough in the technological advancement is the case of Kevin Warwick.

On August 1998, he successfully implanted a silicon chip in his body that enabled a computer

to track him. This was followed by another successful experiment in in March 2002 in which

another silicon chip was again implanted to his left arm and a less complex implant to his wife

Irena.!

! The triumph of Prof. Kevin Warwick in transforming himself into a “cyborg” (Kevin

Warwick, Project Cyborg1.0 and Project Cyborg 2.0) has become the basis of succeeding

experiments in an effort to explore possibilities that are far from our imagination decades ago.

! The success of implanting cybernetic organisms to human body have led other

scientists to do further research that will implant controlling chip to human brain that will

affect the way we live, work and play.

! With the advent of information technology and nanotechnology, only our imagination

can provide the limitations.

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Caroline A. Lozano Case Study in TM 601
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Main Problem: !

! How far can scientists go in exploring and tinkering the human sanctity?

Areas of Considerations:

! Technology has considerably improve manʼs way of doing things. Technology

innovation and development has never been at its best yet. Scientists should continue the

technology development in areas that will :

• Extend manʼs life and not shorten it. - The human body did not evolve to be particularly

long-lived. As we age, our somatic telomeres shorten (which 3 degrades genes at

the end of a chromosome), we accumulate mutations, oxidative damage, and

cellular debris, and we develop diseases. Scientists should focus on overcoming

these things. Currently, there is only one proven method of extending life spans of

humans and that is “eat less, live longer” (caloric restriction). Science can definitely

extend the life of human given the right effort of research, time and knowledge. This

is building a better human.

• Save life and not destroy it. - As a result of technology, many diseases has inflicted

mankind. It is imperative then to maximize the available resources that will lead the

development of cancer cure, artificial organs, more intelligent arms and ! legs.

• Make life better and not worst. Genetic engineering can and may lead to a better life.

Research showed that personal genomics will provide personalized treatment.

• and ensure the availability of technology. Ensure the availability of these technology

not only to the developed countries but more so to the developing

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! ! countries. Technology has made the world smaller thru internet. This can be a

! ! venue to make the transfer of technology faster.

Conclusion:

! At present, the information age has made anything possible. It seems that everything

that was unthinkable before is possible nowadays. The only thing which has been left

impossible is the word ʻimpossibleʼ itself. Even the question of how far can scientists go in

exploring and tinkering our human sanctity seemed to be undefined. !

! The quest of man for knowledge will never cease.

! While the outcome of their quest have led to the transformation of people's lives,

perspective, and culture and irregardless of the technology available, the wisdom of human,

which is irreplaceable by machine or technology, will dictate if we are to use it or not.

! Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.

Recommendation:

! “Outside the big questions of whether humans should be enhanced and at whose and

what cost is the perhaps bigger question of whether enhancement brings happiness.

Happiness can be enhanced but isnʼt just about genomes, itʼs about the mind, which I think is

vastly underestimated and underused.”

- Richard Matthieu, co-director of the Schechen Buddhist Monastery in Nepal and a molecular

geneticist

" If all of these technological enhancements will not deprive us of our happiness, then

science and technology should continue its developments.

" After all the highest desire of human is happiness.