newatlas | The looming specter of eugenics hovers
over a great deal of transhumanist thought. In the first half of the
20th century the term became disturbingly, but not unreasonably,
associated with Nazi Germany. Sterilizing or euthanizing those who
displayed characteristics that were deemed to be imperfect was
ultimately outlawed as a form of genocide. But as the genome revolution
struck later in the century a resurgence in the philosophical ideals of
eugenics began to arise.
Transhumanist thought often
parallels the ideals of eugenics, although most self-identifying
transhumanists separate themselves from that stigmatized field,
preferring terms like reprogenetics and germinal choice. The difference
between the negative outcomes of eugenics and the more positive,
transhumanist notion of reprogenetics seems to be one of consent. In a
21st century world of selective genetic modification, all is good as
long as all parents equally have the choice to genetically modify their
child, and are not forced by governments who are trying to forcefully
manage the genetic pool.
Some of the more valid concerns about
the dawning transhumanist future are the socioeconomic repercussions of
such a speedy technological evolution. As the chasm between rich and
poor grows in our current culture, one can't help but be concerned that
future advancements could become disproportionately limited to those
with the financial resources to afford them. If life extension
technologies start to become feasible, and they are only available to
the billionaire class, then we enter a scenario where the rich get
richer and live longer, while the poor get poorer and die sooner.
Without exceptionally strong
political reform maintaining democratic access to human enhancement
technologies, it's easy to foresee the rise of a disturbing genetic
class divide. As environmentalist and activist Bill McKibben writes:
"If we can't afford the fifty cents a person it would take to buy bed
nets to protect most of Africa from malaria, it is unlikely we will
extend to anyone but the top tax bracket these latest forms of genetic
technology."
