Discussion: What is the difference between transhumanism and eugenics? And on the ethics of both

Is transhumanism a branch of eugenics? Is eugenics a branch of transhumanism? To what degree, if any, are the two sciences morally acceptable?

What should be the limits on human augmentation?

Since a lot of people don't know what either word means, ill cite definitions:

Transhumanism is an international intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of science and technology to improve human mental and physical characteristics and capacities. The movement regards aspects of the human condition, such as disability, suffering, disease, aging, and involuntary death as unnecessary and undesirable. Transhumanists look to biotechnologies and other emerging technologies for these purposes. Dangers, as well as benefits, are also of concern to the transhumanist movement.[1]

Eugenics is "the study of, or belief in, the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)."[2] Eugenics was widely popular in the early decades of the 20th century, but has fallen into disfavor after having become associated with Nazi Germany. Since the postwar period, both the public and the scientific communities have associated eugenics with Nazi abuses, such as enforced racial hygiene, human experimentation, and the extermination of "undesired" population groups. However, developments in genetic, genomic, and reproductive technologies at the end of the 20th century have raised many new questions and concerns about the meaning of eugenics and its ethical and moral status in the modern era.

reply to post by 19872012
Eugenics is a process being applied over several generations with a fundamental goal in mind. It's also tended to be focused across societies and groups rather than individuals. In essence, eugenics is a non-consent procedure as the potential participants are yet unborn. By extension, the repercussions and costs will be experienced by people who never volunteered to be genetic 'test pilots' in the first place.

Transhumanism could be just epic coolness. It's focused on willing, informed individuals. For example, technology that could replace lungs and allow the respiratory system to take in more air and remove the pollutants with 100% success. Maybe, hi-tech eyeballs with telescopic and IR vision? Conceivably, we could have the internet 6.0 displayed in our vision and be able to have 'video' chats with people across Earth in a virtual reality...as if they were there with you.

Physically disabled people could be enabled to have complete mobility back or have some technological proxy allow full interface with society. We've already got basic cochlear implants...in future we could have 'add-ons' to improve our abilities.

Originally posted by Kandinsky
reply to post by 19872012

 

Eugenics is a process being applied over several generations with a fundamental goal in mind. It's also tended to be focused across societies and groups rather than individuals. In essence, eugenics is a non-consent procedure as the potential participants are yet unborn. By extension, the repercussions and costs will be experienced by people who never volunteered to be genetic 'test pilots' in the first place.

Transhumanism could be just epic coolness. It's focused on willing, informed individuals. For example, technology that could replace lungs and allow the respiratory system to take in more air and remove the pollutants with 100% success. Maybe, hi-tech eyeballs with telescopic and IR vision? Conceivably, we could have the internet 6.0 displayed in our vision and be able to have 'video' chats with people across Earth in a virtual reality...as if they were there with you.

Physically disabled people could be enabled to have complete mobility back or have some technological proxy allow full interface with society. We've already got basic cochlear implants...in future we could have 'add-ons' to improve our abilities.

Very good post!!!!

I am not anti-transhumanism at all, though I am against "designer babies" and the like. But overall, I see vast improvements we could make in our species, and nothing sinful about doing so.