Part 5 – Implications for society
Inequality
Without intervention, human augmentation is likely to exacerbate inequality, and could
lead to societal tensions. The wealthy are expected to be early adopters of human
augmentation and they could use their acquired superior abilities to entrench their status.
In time this could lead to an elite overclass that could become genetically distinct from
the rest of humanity,^36 and leave an unaugmented underclass as relatively disadvantaged
as the illiterate are in today’s societies. As human augmentation technology matures
governments and international institutions will be forced to grapple with these possibilities.
Whether they should step in to ensure equal access to human augmentation or, like the
growth of car ownership through the 20th Century, let market forces decide is likely to be
a hotly debated issue.Acceptance
Many factors, including its purpose, effectiveness and safety, will influence acceptance of
human augmentation. An individual’s acceptance is a crucial factor for implementation
and the challenge for societies will be to strike a balance between scientific curiosity, the
common good and the individual’s perspective. Human augmentation may challenge
or offend religious views and appear to give credence to other belief systems, such as
transhumanism.^37 These divergent views could lead to polarisation, social tension and,
conceivably, conflict. The complex interplay between perception and acceptance will
require careful engagement if the benefits of human augmentation are to be realised and
pitfalls avoided.Health and social care
Human augmentation will transform health and social care. Health care systems
already use data and technology to prevent illness rather than reacting to it, and human
augmentation will accelerate this shift. Implanted sensors could allow early detection,
and artificial intelligence-enabled diagnosis and treatment could be delivered remotely by
doctors using telemedicine. The ability to interpret genetic information is still developing
but could give rise to powerful tools to understand individual health risks. Genetic
therapies of the future could correct issues before they manifest into an illness. These
early interventions would reduce demand for face-to-face clinics and hospital admissions,
potentially reducing the infrastructure needed to deliver health care. Preventative
interventions are cheaper and more effective, meaning increased survival rates, shortened
recovery time and less strain on the economy.36 Fukuyama, F., (2002), Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution.
Mehlman, M., (2003), Wondergenes: Genetic Enhancement and the Future of Society. Resnik, D., (1994),
Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, ‘Debunking the Slippery Slope Argument against Human Germ-Line
Gene Therapy’.
37 Transhumanists believe that humankind can and should eradicate ageing as a cause of death, and that
humans and machines should be merged to enhance the human condition.