Human Biomedical Enhancement

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FireFromHeaven

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Hello.
I am preparing for a discussion based philosophy course in which we debate various moral issues. Today’s topic is human enhancement. I am reading some pro enhancement literature and it seems to make a very strong case. I am personally inclined to agree with them. However, I have heard that the Church opposes human enhancement. Why is this? Is this capital-D Dogma? Aside from quoting Ignatius de Loyola on white and black, how can I defend a Dogma I am unsure of?
 
An essay called Cognitive Enhancement by Allen Buchanan and David R. Crawford.
 
I did a quick google search while reading the artucle and found several articles by Catholics arguing that human enhancement is immoral. Such as these: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/human-or-superhuman
Human Enhancement: Scientific and Ethical Dimensions of Genetic Engineering, Brain Chips and Synthetic Blood | Pew Research Center
http://www.catholiclane.com/what-is-the-catholic-view-on-genetic-engineering/

Some of these papers include quotes from this Vatican document which condemns human enhancement.
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/p...s/rc_pc_hlthwork_doc_19950101_charter_en.html

I tried to check the Catechism but couldn’t find anything directly on Human enhancement
 
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It depends on the type of enhancement I’d imagine. If it involves manipulating embryos in a lab and possibly destroying them, then it is immoral. If it’s less invasive then it’s possibly allowed.
 
yeah i would imagine disfiguring yourself or destroying certain parts of yourself intentionally to be like Cyborg would be morally questionable.
 
But is that the only way to improve yourself? What about certain drugs that increase cognitive activity or muscle growth without negative effects?
 
The essays are purely conceptual. They are considering the hypothetical case of such drugs, with no negative effects, being created.
 
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