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October 29, 2007
The Nanoethics Group to Discuss Human Enhancement Debate at ICNT 2007
Nov. 6
San Francisco talk examines predicted applications and growing controversy
SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CA – October 29, 2007 – The Nanoethics Group today announced that it
has been invited to speak next week at the International Congress of
Nanotechnology (ICNT) 2007 in San Francisco, one of the industry’s largest
global gatherings. Patrick Lin, Ph.D., director of The Nanoethics Group and
visiting assistant professor at California Polytechnic State University (Cal
Poly, San Luis Obispo), is scheduled to make his presentation “Superman vs.
Frankenstein’s Monster: The Debate on Human Enhancement Technologies” on
November 6 at 2:30 pm in the Environmental, Health & Safety track of the
conference (track C).
Nanotechnology is expected to deliver applications to dramatically improve
medical aid, some of which can also enhance “normal” human capabilities.
The US military is already working on such innovations as an exoskeleton
that gives superhuman abilities to its bearer, such as being able to leap
walls in a single bound or change from flexible fabric into armor. Other
performance-enhancing technologies may include making an individual smarter,
more productive, more athletic, more attractive, and even live far beyond
today’s average lifespan. But such scenarios conjure up images of today’s
steroid use in sports and therefore the need for safeguards, bring back to
the forefront such questions as: Is there a difference between therapy and
enhancement, and if so, should there be limits to how and when we may
enhance ourselves?
Dr. Lin explained, “Some view human enhancement as the natural, desirable
course of our evolution; others see it as a threat to the idea of ‘being
human’ and a path toward creating a Frankenstein’s monster. From our
current National Science Foundation-funded project on the ethics of human
enhancement and nanotechnology, my presentation will discuss some potential
applications as well as examine issues on both sides of this very important
and increasing debate.”
Held in San Francisco from November 5-8, the International Congress of
Nanotechnology 2007 brings together leading minds in nanotechnology from all
over the world, including keynote lectures from Nobel Laureates Sir Harry
Kroto and Professor Roger Kornberg, California State Senator Dr. Leland Yee,
California Assemblymember Loni Hancock. For more information about ICNT
2007, please visit
www.nanotechcongress.com.
About The Nanoethics Group
The
Nanoethics Group is a non-partisan research organization formed to study
nanotechnology’s impact on society and related ethical issues. As
professional ethicists, we help to identify and evaluate possible harms and
conflicts as well as to bring balance and common sense to the debate. Our
mission is to educate and advise both organizations and the broader public
on these issues as a foundation to guide policy and responsible research.
For more
information, please visit
www.nanoethics.org.
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