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SUMMARY:Human Enhancement - Threat or Promise? - Prof. Gareth Jones [Unive
 rsity of Otago\, New Zealand
DTSTART:20100504T120000Z
DTEND:20100504T130000Z
UID:TALK24693@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Zoe Binns
DESCRIPTION:We live in a world where enhancement of abilities\, appearance
 \, and health is commonplace. However\, we are frequently oblivious to the
  notion\, so that when proposals about radical enhancements are put forwar
 d the reaction is to reject the notion altogether. In this seminar I shall
  critique some of the enhancement fantasies current at present\, but I sha
 ll also aim to dissect enhancement by dividing it into three categories\, 
 ranging from an extension of conventional therapy through to radical trans
 formation of human aspirations as encountered in transhumanism. In dealing
  realistically with enhancement it is important to critique the various fo
 rms of cognitive enhancement\, including those aimed at blocking traumatic
  memories\, and to ask what it is about these procedures that worry some p
 eople. Conversely\, what benefits might they have? The other example of en
 hancement I shall consider is sporting enhancement\, with the problem here
  of determining a coherent distinction between activities and treatments t
 hat ought to be permissible and those that ought not. In drawing together 
 these threads it is important to ask what are the ethical\, social and eve
 n theological implications of our ever- burgeoning enhancement abilities\,
  and whether these in any way begin to question the goals of medical care 
 and even the nature of human aspirations. 
LOCATION:Garden Room\, St Edmund's College
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