Humans 2.0: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Perspectives on Transhumanism Paperback – 1 July 2019

Will the remarkable advances in biotechnology become tools for therapy or for the pursuit of a utopian future?Why not both? Those are some of the issues explored in this book. The authors are biochemist Fazale Rana and philosopher theologian Ken Samples. The two authors bring the appropriate expertise to evaluate both the technology and the ethical issues.Should recent and ongoing advances in biotechnology be prioritized toward alleviating human illness and suffering or toward creating a stronger, more intelligent and immortal posthuman species? Surprisingly, Rana and Samples demonstrate that the two options are likely to be mutually exclusive. Going down the ‘posthuman’ path will necessarily require the devaluing of those who are just ‘human’.The great irony of transhumanism is that, in the words of the authors, “If we use technology to create a posthuman future on our way to utopia, it won’t be humans that arrive at that destination. In other words, who we save won’t be us.”The book explains the technologies: gene editing, neuroprosthetics (implantable devices such as Cochlear implants), brain-computer interfaces, and anti-aging technologies. The book then examines the ethical issues that arise along with those technological advances. How can an appropriate system of ethics be constructed in response?The authors show that a ‘secular’ system of ethics ends up being no ethics at all. Secular ethics supposedly evolve according to agreements among humans. That raises the question: How is those agreements obtained? In a world of malleable and evolving ethics, the most powerful will inevitably dominate the least powerful.The authors conclude that when confronted with the extravagant human enhancements being pursued by transhumanists, a system of secular ethics ultimately self destructs. Secular ethics, pushed by transhumanists, will evolve to move beyond mere humans, leaving behind their concerns. The secular worldview of transhumanism “lacks the moral capital to meet the ethical demands.”Rana and Samples propose an ethical framework that finds its basis in the notion that human beings are created in God’s image. They make a strong case that humans reflect the image of God, the Creator of all things. That case is made apart from Biblical scripture. They review evidence from anthropology, primatology, neurophysiology, linguistics and theories of mind. Ironically, progress in biotechnology is one of the most powerful arguments for human exceptionalism and, consequently, the image of God.What is truly remarkable is that the authors have produced what is arguably the best ethical and rational framework available for confronting the known challenges of biotechnologies, and that outcome can be broadly accepted, even though someone may not believe that the Bible’s story of humanity is actually true.The authors then explain the reality of transhumanism, its aspirations and its dangers. It is an ideology that seeks to save humanity by producing a posthuman species that will not have all the defects that we see in ourselves. It is a quest for salvation that ends in a fundamental paradox. Humanity will not be saved but, instead, removed and replaced. The authors conclude: “This paradox marks another reason to view transhumanist gospel as false. . . . In this sense, transhumanism is perhaps one of the most dangerous ideas ever confronting humanity. If this vision is carried out in the way transhumanists hope, it will accelerate our extinction.”This is an extremely important book that addresses one of the most important issues of this age. Going forward, we have been warned. Only ethical constraints that are built on a solid Christian foundation will save us from ourselves. In the final analysis, transhumanism turns out to be a dangerous fraud and a fantasy. It is divorced from reality; none of its lofty aspirations will ever even remotely be achieved. There will be no posthuman species, no techno-salvation. But there will be, if ethically applied, new and better treatments of ordinary human afflictions. We can be thankful for that.

It was underwhelming. Its not particularly my subject of interest but I thought I would try it to gain some insight but I was disappointed

Humans 2.0 is a book with a ton of substance, summarizing critically important developments that, for most, have been outside our normal purview. At issue is the rapidly changing world of bioengineering and biotechnology, and what it means for all of us. While there are exciting possibilities, they also pose difficult ethical and spiritual challenges.The opening chapters provide the details – a technically comprehensive review that reads as a tough slog, but demonstrates the scope, depth and pace of change that is taking place. We don’t need to understand the nuances of the science to get the message –massive change is coming and probably quite soon.At one level, the advances are a universal good – curing disease, prolonging life, improving the quality of life as we age, and overcoming disabilities for people such as amputees and those who are “locked-in” (i.e., isolated, conscious and aware but unable to communicated with the outside world). But these goods are accompanied by challenging ethical and spiritual questions. How are these benefits to be shared? What of those who would use these developments to create a subspecies of superhumans, so-called “designer” babies who are super strong or super smart? Many advocates embrace the idea of “transhumanism,” seeing this as an intentional effort to “transform the present human condition through the use of science and technology.” But who gets to share and who is left behind? Are there limits? Unintended consequences? And are human creatures to be tampered with in this way - or are we special creations, unique in all of nature, whose fundamental character is to be respected and honored?The authors write from a Christian perspective and see in these developments what becomes a Christian apologetic. They also include a note of caution. Many Christians intuitively sense theological danger here, but the counter danger is a tendency to engage in “knee-jerk, gut-level” responses that callously ignore the potential benefits these developments offer. The plea is to be thoughtful and reasoned in how these issues are framed and addressed.What is interesting is that, as the questions and answers are probed, they pose the kinds of spiritual questions that make Christianity relevant. If we need an ethic to deal with these questions, where do we find it? Certainly not in the subjective realm of personal feelings and intuitions that have no universal anchor. Or to what extent do these developments suggest we are trying to play God? And if so, what compels us to do so? What inner need are we seeking to satisfy?Ultimately the compulsion towards transhumanism becomes a replay of the fundamental Enlightenment proposition that we live in an entirely material world in which we humans have total control of our future. Materialistic science, in this view, becomes a tool for totally controlling human destiny through advances in science and technology. The problem is that such an understanding not only demystifies the cosmos, it dehumanizes it. There is no space for all those innate qualities that make us human, that give life meaning and purpose. It is an old issue. Contemplating this in 1973, Theodore Roszak complained that modern science understood in purely materialistic terms is “an invisible demon who works by subtle poison, not upon the flesh and bone, but upon the spirit.” It is, he argued, a “monster of meaninglessness. The psychic malaise. The existential void where modern man searches in vain for his soul.”As one thinks through the issues posed by modern developments in bioengineering and biotechnology, we are forced to consider the fundamental nature of humanity. Are we unique in all of nature as Christianity professes, or simply the latest and most sophisticated stage in an evolutionary continuum that promises to continue evolving. Humans 2.0 does a great service by bringing these developments to our attention and posing their challenges in a thoughtful way. It should be of interest to Christians and non-Christians alike.

I found Humans 2.0 very informative. My understanding of transhumanism was significantly expanded. Despite the many technical chapters (which I simply just skimmed) the messages were clear.I began to have problems with the book when they started proselytizing. I was left unsure if transhumanism agrees with Christianity or with all religions! All in all, I think it is a must-read for those who wonder about the future of mankind.

Humans 2.0: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Perspectives on Transhumanism, by biochemist Dr. Fazale R. Rana and philosopher/theologian Kenneth R. Samples, is a book describing the scientific advancement of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, Brain Computer Interface, and other developments in bioengineering, biotechnology, and biomedicine. However, their main focus is on the ethical issues facing us today with these technological advances, addressing both secular and Christian ethical worldviews.Transhumanism is expressed in many forms; gene editing, gene therapy, neuroprosthetic, organs replacement, embryonic stem cells, and much more. All, in hopes of freedom from debilitating diseases in order to recapture their own humanity. However, the concern is not over the development of this technology, but how it is used, who controls their uses, and how to handle the mistakes. Also, is it opening one door too many: Human Enhancement and Designer Babies?When I was growing up, the big goal for a runner in high School was to break the 4-minute mile. Then, in 1964, Jim Ryun ran the mile in 3:59.0 as a junior and later 3:55.3 as a senior. As of 2018, only 10 American high schoolers have broken the 4-minute mile. However, human enhancement and designer babies can change the face of all sporting events. Recently, the local news carried an article concerning a transgender male competing in women’s sporting event, literally blowing the women out of the picture. Soon, we will see “female enhancements” in order for women to compete fairly in women’s sports.Another concern for Human Enhancement and Designers Babies is the ‘black-market” aspects. CRISPR-Cas9 is simple to use and very inexpensive. On Amazon, you can purchase a “DIY Bacterial Genome Engineering CRISPR Kit” for $169.99. This technology could open another pandora’s box for those who ‘purchase a doctor’s degree’ and then opens a ‘human enhancement practice’ in their garage.Humans 2.0 is written for both the secular and Christian audiences, but mainly to equip Christians when discussing Christianity, and in the presentation of the Gospel. Regardless of your worldview, Humans 2.0 presents an intriguing futuristic view where science-fiction has become science-fact.