PopSci: The Future of Medicine
Custom-Made Organs. Precision-Guided Tumor Killers. The Genetic Slicer 'N' Dicer. A single-shot universal vaccine against any strain of influenza. A sewing kit to stitch severed nerve cells back together. Spinal Spark For Paralysis
Gary Gygax, World Dictator?
We're already immersed in a neotenous society, where social adolescence is artificially extended and a lot of people never "grow up' -- that is, never accept the designated "adult" roles and social behaviours. Gaming is a pervasive recreational behaviour; the games industry is probably close to surpassing the traditional motion picture industry in turnover. Play -- historically associated more with childhood behaviour than with adultood -- is a behaviour that is increasingly continued into adulthood. And it has long-term psychological implications. Play is learning tool; young mammals play in order to explore their environment and develop strategies for coping.
BME Encyclopedia - Transhumanism.
Indeed, one of the popular philosophies in transhumanism is that instead of a single species with a single genetic and physical makeup, the species must become a large number of differently-evolved sub-species. In other words, all of the approaches are desirable, since they all (if properly implemented) succeed in humans that are different from the current species. There has always been a strong sense of individuality, and a desire to maintain novelty, among most transhumanists.
Keinotekoista spermaa kantasoluista.
"The same approach could ultimately allow us to control the development of liver cells, heart cells or brain cells...and make treatments for virtually any tissue that is damaged or diseased."
"To choose to do nothing is still a choice, with its advantages, disadvantages and probable sequelae. Unless these have actually been weighed, estimated and compared with alternatives, those who choose not to "play God" are choosing, instead, to play ostrich."
- Robert Ettinger, Man Into Superman (1972)