Human Enhancement – A Discussion Document

Abstract

Since time immemorial, human beings have sought to improve the human condition by technologies which changed the world around us, but we did not attempt to change ourselves. But across a range of scientific disciplines, discoveries and developments now make the idea of significantly modifying the human body no longer mere science fiction. ‘Human enhancement’ is about trying to make changes to minds and bodies - characteristics, abilities, emotions and capacities - beyond what we regard today as normal. It raises deep theological and ethical issues about our humanity, our societies and our human destiny, which churches and societies need to debate, for which we offer this report.