Letter to the Editor

It takes suffering, as Buddha discovered, to motivate people to search for remedies. The last 250 years of revolutions against authoritarian regimes around the world led to paradigm shifts that raised popular expectations and promoted an era of secular rationality. Science promised a better world: Indeed, unprecedented technological results are being achieved beyond belief. The December 2010 issue of the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy was dedicated to “Transhumanism” and our “Posthuman” future. The authors posit that biotechnological advances have redesigned the boundaries of human existence. Brain-computer interfaces, radical life extension, enhancement through pre-implantation diagnosis, organ transplantation, bionic limbs, and regenerative medicine will remove all constraints on our bodies and brains.

Under these conditions, there will be a struggle between human values and cost factors, between libertarian autonomy and financial allocation of resources. We think of the “rights” of an insolvent octomom to receive multiple artificial embryo implantations, then to be supported by the state.

In the 21st century, the role of bioethicists must expand to include educating the public regarding their choices, avoiding over- and underutilization.

Sincerely,

Olgard Dabbert, MD

NOTE: Dr. Dabbert is a retired SDCMS member. Views expressed by letter writers do not represent those of SDCMS or CMA. If you would like to respond to Dr. Dabbert or submit your own letter to the editor, please email Editor@SDCMS.org.