Human Bioenhancement and Transhumanism. Notes for a Discussion beyond Technology

Abstract

For some decades now, molecular biology, genetic engineering and biomedical sciences in general have been protagonists of the most dazzling and disturbing scientific developments. But, without a doubt, the appearance in recent years of CRISPR technology has fueled a series of previous debates, including one on the possibility of genetically intervening in human reproduction and achieving improvement. Not surprisingly, the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Emmanuelle Charpentier (Umeå University, Sweden) and Jennifer Doudna (University of California, Berkeley) for their work on this technology. But also, a few months earlier, the Chinese scientist He Jiankui had been sentenced to three years in prison and a large fine for "illegally carrying out the genetic editing of various human embryos for reproductive purposes". He Jiankui had announced the birth of twin girls with their DNA modified by the new CRISPR-Cas9 technology, "to prevent them from contracting HIV", and also another eventual pregnancy in which they had intervened in the same way.