Alden March Bioethics Institute

Augmented cognition, like so many new technologies, has its promises and its perils. Whereas recent literature in ethics focuses on the military origins and applications of augmented cognition and harnessing the power of a symbiotic brain-nervous system-computer system for warfare, this article analyzes this technology for applications in health care settings and research. Additionally, a delineation of how law and policy makers might respond to issues in shared culpability and responsibility is proposed.

From genetically modified crops to nanoparticles in our food,
converging technologies are changing what we eat and how we eat it. “Converging technologies” refers to the union of Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technologies, and Cognitive Sciences (NBIC). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are already part of the legal landscape and nanofoods are not far behind. Nutraceuticals that claim to boost brain power are already available at your local health
food store; the NBIC convergence promises to deliver such results as treatments for malnutrition and obesity, targeted nutrition, timed release food, a cruelty-free and sustainable way to produce meat, and food packaging that reports spoilage before it is visible to the naked eye. In this article we review some of the latest trends and developments in the application of nanotechnology to our foods and food sources,
define nanofoods, and argue that with proper regulation and oversight this technology may provide solutions to the problems of equity of scarce resources, sustainable food practices, and ethical treatment of animals without eliminating the need for smaller family farms.

Jean-Dominique ('Jean-Do') Bauby, the editor of Elle, the fashion magazine, led a privileged, exciting, globetrotting life, until, at the age of 43, he fell victim to a devastating stroke and “locked-in syndrome.” Locked-in syndrome is a rare neurological condition, where the voluntary muscles of the individual are paralyzed, except those that control eye movement. As a result, the individual cannot move or speak, although some communication is possible through blinking or other eye motion.

Both Jotterand's (2010) and Bostrom's (2005; 2007) use of the term “dignity” with regard to human versus posthuman miss the mark; they create a dichotomized,“us versus them” scenario, rather than recognizing the interconnectedness of all sentient beings—interconnectedness, as in nonseparability and entanglement and in feminist theory (Barad 2007 2. Barad, K. 2007. Meeting the universe halfway: Quantum physics and the entanglement of matter and meaning, Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

I love technology; it promises so much. Then, when it doesn't work, I find it infuriating and frustrating. Transhumanists (short for “transitional humans”) have a reputation for embracing technology with unbridled passion. Conservative social theorist Francis Fukuyama claims that transhumanism is the “world's most dangerous idea.” Some conservative groups have described transhumanists as extreme militant libertarians, who advocate anarchy and pure capitalism.

Transgenic technology has the potential of medical therapy, but it raises questions about these issues:• creation of new life forms and crossing species boundaries• long-term effects on human health and the environment• blending of nonhuman animal and human DNA• unintended personal, social, and cultural consequences

Intelligence Unbound explores the prospects, promises, and potential dangers of machine intelligence and uploaded minds in a collection of state-of-the-art essays from internationally recognized philosophers, AI researchers, science fiction authors, and theorists.

Compelling and intellectually sophisticated exploration of the latest thinking on Artificial Intelligence and machine minds
Features contributions from an international cast of philosophers, Artificial Intelligence researchers, science fiction authors, and more
Offers current, diverse perspectives on machine intelligence and uploaded minds, emerging topics of tremendous interest
Illuminates the nature and ethics of tomorrow’s machine minds—and of the convergence of humans and machines—to consider the pros and cons of a variety of intriguing possibilities
Considers classic philosophical puzzles as well as the latest topics debated by scholars
Covers a wide range of viewpoints and arguments regarding the prospects of uploading and machine intelligence, including proponents and skeptics, pros and cons

While the search for the “fountain of youth” has long been considered merely a fantasy, advances in regenerative
medicine and biogerontology in the twenty-first century
suggest that “the aspiration to modify the biological
processes of aging in humans—and thus delay the onset
of all age-related disadvantages, as well as compress
morbidity and mortality—may actually be achievable”.