Transhumanism

Transhumanism is a movement supporting the use of science and technology to improve human mental and physical characteristics and capacities. Transhumanism regards aspects of the human condition, such as disability, suffering, disease, aging, and involuntary death as unnecessary and undesirable. Transhumanists debate and challenge the moral limits of "human-enhancement-technologies," viewing biotechnologies and other emerging technologies as evolutionary forces with the capacity to change "human nature" itself. ¹

Transhumanism Versus Personhood

Transhumanism purports Personhood or in "transhumanistic terms," individual ontological identity, occurs after successful implantation in the mother's womb. If one accepts the viewpoint that Personhood begins after implantation, then taking abortifacients to prevent an embryo from implanting in his or her mother's womb is morally acceptable. As is encouraging infertile couples with defective gametes to adopt already manufactured IVF (i.e., In Vitro Fertilized) Embryos that will be discarded is a laudable objective and an unmitigated good. And using embryonic stem cells to seek cures (i.e., creating human embryos for research "parts" or "diagnostic specimens") becomes a worthy means of fulfilling the biblical mandate to heal the sick. ²

Transhumanism Versus Christianity

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." — Jesus Christ (John 8:32, KJV)

Transhumanism (i.e., human+) is another battle in the "Long War Against God". In the Protestant Church, Billy Graham's Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism (LCWE) "Occasional Paper No. 58" stands firmly against Transhumanism. ³ In the Catholic Church, the Vatican's Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person) likewise stands firmly against Transhumanism. ⁴ In my opinion, the Apostle Paul helps us understand the heart of the matter in Romans 1:21,22 (KJV) when he says: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [And] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

Transhumanism Versus We The People

There is no question where the Lausanne Committee or Pope Benedict XVI are standing on the subject of Transhumanism. Both agree that all humans, at every stage of development, bear the image of God and should be protected by love and by law. Both stand boldly and firmly against Transhumanism. However, the question is: What about the rest of us? Where do we stand on this issue? Does every human life have equal moral value simply and merely because it is human? ⁵ Are we willing to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints?" ⁶ Could it be that abortion is still legal and the needs of women and children are yet unmet because "We The People" have allowed the terrible and tantalizing temptation of tidings such as "her choice", "right to privacy" and "exceptions" to transcend our biblical values and with ease facilitate our transfer into the traitorous and treacherous twilight of Transhumanism? Caveat emptor is Latin for "Let the buyer beware."

Brothers, we really need to talk.

Reference(s):
1. "An Open Letter To Christian Leaders On Biotechnology And The Future Of Man." Time Running Out To Influence Debate On Transhumanism (http://bit.ly/eqvoxo).
2. The American College of Embryology (ACE) opposes regulation of human embryos as diagnostic specimens (http://bit.ly/hyrpDj).
3. "Bioethics: Obstacle or Opportunity for the Gospel?" Lausanne Occasional Paper No. 58 (http://bit.ly/gU4hF8).
4. The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions (http://bit.ly/ftvDAz).
5. Wesley J. Smith, Featured on Starbuck's take-away coffee cups as part of its "The Way I See It" 2006 Campaign (http://bit.ly/b83dKq).
6. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.", Jude 1:3, (KJV).