<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: Transhumans It's a short time in the future, say 2020. You have been studying brain processing in hopes of enhancing the cognitive capacities of patients with Alzheimer's disease and those who are mentally retarded. You have just discovered a way of increasing the brain's memory capacity by 100% and it's processing speed two fold using the daily administration of 2 pills. You are overjoyed except for the fact that you know what happened when lesser improvements in cognitive function were introduced early in the 21st century. People started taking them to improve memory even though there was no evidence that they worked in normal persons. It was a reminder of what happened with steroids and growth hormone on physical performance in the 20th century. They became essential for every truly competitive athlete. Your finding is so central to thought that those taking the drug will thoroughly outstrip everyone else that we might consider them to be transhuman. As you think about your discovery, you can visualize a situation in which the transhumans begin to take over the resources of the earth, and ultimately have no use for the "plain humans" they supplanted. Questions: What do you think as a scientist of this potential state of affairs? Do you have any responsibility as a scientist to consider the consequences of your work when you think of what to do with your findings? Science as a discipline deals with major technological developments including: Nuclear power and bombs Recombinant DNA technology Totipotential embryonic stem cells Reproductive technologies using genetic manipulation The Internet Is it appropriate to allow the political process to determine who will make the critical decisions about the use of scientific advances? << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 1 Quick Links The Ethical Basis of RCRH The Nature of Science Research Integrity Professionalism in Science Practical Elements of Responsible Research Conduct Cases Bibliography Chapter 1 Download (PDF)