Topics for Discussion
(1) Should we experiment on animals to enhance
their usefulness to us? We already create hybrids
for our food chain. In centuries past we developed
stronger beasts of burden. Why not more intelligent
creatures to perhaps handle tedious manual labors
that require little thought?
(2) Should we experiment on humans to enhance
our capabilities? This might involve the use of
cognitive enhancing drugs like Ritalin or Adderal.
Or, neuro-electronic interfaces such as plugging
our brains into computers or inserting adjunct
computer software directly into our brains.
(3) Does eugenics deserve a comeback? Why is
it okay to use our limited resources to preserve
and reward the least productive among us and less
popular to use those resources to promote our
very best? In the contest between nature and nurture,
has nurture won? And while we shouldn’t fall into
the trap of labeling inferior genes as malignant
and worthy of destroying, like Hitler; is it wrong
to seek genetic enhancement? While we might fault
the frivolous use of genetic engineering – to
alter our children’s eye color, height, or color
– might it not be worthwhile to engineer smarter
people?
(4) Are there real human capabilities that have
yet to be discovered or fostered? Are we capable
of extra-sensory perception (predicting future
or distant events), telekinesis (the movement
of objects with the mind), astral projection (projecting
our consciousness to other places or times), telepathy
(reading thoughts), and synesthesia (the melding
and enhancement of our five senses)? What is science
fiction and what has the potential for being science
fact?
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