Enhancing Of The Body With Non-Biological Elements

[BenRosa]

Greetings;

Looking toward the future, what might the Church’s position be towards people enhancing their brain (mental) capacity via a non-biological implant (as of yet to be determined)? Relatedly, what about the use of nanobots (man-made non-biological entities) in the body that could repair or enhance internal organs?

I raise these questions from reading the first chapter of “The Singularity Is Near” (Ray Kurzweil, 2005).

Thanks all, for any feedback.

God’s peace,
Ed in Tampa

 

[PaulfromIowa]

We have devices like artificial joints, arterial stents, and pacemakers. There is no moral issue with them, provided that benefits outweigh risks. Implanting devices in the brain would be much more difficult and much riskier.

 

[Neofight]

We have devices like artificial joints, arterial stents, and pacemakers. There is no moral issue with them, provided that benefits outweigh risks. Implanting devices in the brain would be much more difficult and much riskier.

Agreed to first and second sentence, but third is not as definitive as many would think.

 

[BenRosa]

There is no moral issue with them, provided that benefits outweigh risks.

Paul…thank you for the feedback; I assume your are talking of physical “risks”. Ok, scratch-out the word “repair” from my initial post. What if these non-biologic upgrades are strictly to enhance the body (without physical risk)…not repair a physical ailment? I understand there exist artificial joints, pacemakers, etc, but what I’m wondering about, is taking our body/mind to another level via man-made “upgrades”, incorporating technology w/biology to make the body more than it was originally.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

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[GEddie]

While some of the Church’s philosophers might dislike the idea, there is no Church teaching against it. Such intervention, after all, is just the next step up from surgery to reshape the nose or lengthen limbs, both of which are well established and not opposed by the Church (although neither is biologically risk-free).

ICXC NIKA

 

[BenRosa]

Such intervention, after all, is just the next step up from surgery to reshape the nose or lengthen limbs, both of which are well established
ICXC NIKA

GEddie…no, I’m still concerned with enhancing one’s original body/mind to be more than what the person was initially provided by our Creator. Isn’t this tampering with creation?

God’s peace…
Ed in Tampa

 

[GEddie]

GEddie…no, I’m still concerned with enhancing one’s original body/mind to be more than what the person was initially provided by our Creator. Isn’t this tampering with creation?

God’s peace…
Ed in Tampa

Only if you think that “nature” is something holy not to be interfered with. I’ve never believed that.

ICXC NIKA

 

[BenRosa]

Only if you think that “nature” is something holy not to be interfered with.
ICXC NIKA

Our bodies are holy as they are the vessels for our souls (and our Lord resides there). Our Father, in is infinite wisdom, created our bodies with certain capabilities (and limitations).

Are we free then, to expand upon His created human nature, implanting devices in our brains/bodies to make us process information 1000 times faster or live for 1000 years? These kinds of enhancements, whether for good or evil, will soon become options for people and have profound impacts on civilization as we know it.

My gut tells me we would be playing with fire to embrace such developments, but just want other feedback as I really don’t know.

Thank you GEddie…
Ed in Tampa

 

[GEddie]

Our bodies are holy as they are the vessels for our souls (and our Lord resides there). Our Father, in is infinite wisdom, created our bodies with certain capabilities (and limitations).

Are we free then, to expand upon His created human nature, implanting devices in our brains/bodies to make us process information 1000 times faster or live for 1000 years? These kinds of enhancements, whether for good or evil, will soon become options for people and have profound impacts on civilization as we know it.

My gut tells me we would be playing with fire to embrace such developments, but just want other feedback as I really don’t know.

Thank you GEddie…
Ed in Tampa

And I say that the gut should not be trusted for anything but digesting food; my head says these technologies (if they ever become more than dreams – they may not) are neutral in themselves and could be awesome in results.

It all depends on the amount of risk involved. Ie, it would not be worth sawing one’s head open to “increase processing speed.”

ICXC NIKA

 

[lilpoppie]

Sometimes I think I live on Mars. Then I realize I have three heads and only one has eyes.