\u2018Beyond\u2019 Human Enhancement \u2014 Taking the Developing Country\u2019s Perspective Seriously

Vorathep Sachdev

doi:10.1007/s41649-021-00193-z

Abstract

Bioethicists and philosophers dominate the on-going debate on human enhancement. They have debated the definition of human enhancement as well as the potential impacts of human enhancement technologies (such as pharmaceutical enhancements or pre-natal selection). These discussions have percolated, through bioethics bodies and bioethics recommendations, policy makers and have eventually been translated into policy. While some suggestions have been based largely in Western liberal democracies, others have deliberated the geopolitical consequences of human enhancement technologies. This paper argues that the present debate currently lacks perspectives from developing countries. It begins by introducing the current debate on human enhancement and recognizes Allen Buchanan’s well-raised concerns on how these technologies may potentially cause new injustices for low- and middle-income countries (‘developing countries’). It then provides two arguments calling for further research into human enhancement from the perspective of developing countries. First, this paper will argue that the current frames with which enhancement technologies are viewed are inherently neoliberal and require change. The second argument shows how the potential impacts of human enhancement technologies in developing countries have not been fully realized by analyzing how human enhancement technologies will impact Thailand, a developing country.

Highlights

There is significant evidence that bioethical recommendations are considered by policymakers while creating policy (Cabrera 2015), making the deliberations of bioethicists important for the general public and the world’s geopolitical climate
Setting out a simple definition allows us to move past debates on the distinction between enhancement and therapy and focus on bioethical debates regarding the possible consequences of enhancement, and enhancement technologies (Buchanan 2011)
In an enhancement tourism scenario, this form of cultural imperialism could occur if clinics only provided interventions that were appealing to white people, for example, enhancements to prevent ageing is primarily a Western idea, here the West represents nations who have a history as colonizers and are considered developed countries (Al-Rodhan 2011)

Summary

Introduction

There is significant evidence that bioethical recommendations are considered by policymakers while creating policy (Cabrera 2015), making the deliberations of bioethicists important for the general public and the world’s geopolitical climate. Argument 2, on the other hand, posits that there are several unconsidered consequences that may occur from the application of enhancement technologies in developing countries.

Results

Conclusion