Part 2 – Human augmentation technologies
Key deductions and insights
- Continued investment to understand the human body will be critical to the
success of human augmentation. Lack of understanding is, currently, the
major bottleneck. - The use of science and technology to optimise human performance has
significant potential to deliver transformative effects. - Of the four core human augmentation technologies, genetic engineering
shows the greatest potential. Although a controversial technology it is
entering a period of rapid development. - Safer methods such as CRISPR are beginning to change the ethical standpoint
on genetic engineering. - Brain interfaces are attracting significant funding and have potential to deliver
radical enhancements. - Non-invasive brain interfaces offer a balance between transformative
performance and ethical acceptability. - Pharmaceuticals are one of the most prevalent forms of augmentation and a
field that is rapidly changing. Pharmaceutical effects are modest in comparison
to the potential of genetics and brain interfaces and adverse side effects often
negate their benefits. - Using human augmentation technologies will create new dependencies,
support and delivery requirements that must be factored into planning at an
early stage of their development. - The transformative potential of human augmentation technologies lies in
effective combination with linked fields of science. - Human augmentation is developing rapidly and close relationships with industry
will be needed to understand and exploit emerging opportunities. - Much development is affected by public attitudes, corporate liability and what
is classified as legitimate research. Changes in these factors will have a
significant influence on the pace of future development.