Customer Reviews

Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond To The Redesigned Human Of The Future

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I found "Citizen Cyborg" quite readable, and James Hughes brings up a number of interesting arguments against both the bio-Luddite and libertarian-Extropian views of human transformation through technological means. Regarding the latter, Hughes points to the contradiction between the Extropians' desire to re-engineer naturally evolved biology without limits, versus their taboo against intervening into the evolved "spontaneous orders" of markets. Ironically the Extropians' guru F.A. Hayek in "The Fatal Conceit" asserts that we cannot rationally control the direction of an evolved system of any sort, even in principle. But Extropians deliberately ignore that aspect of Hayek's philosophy because it conflicts with their biological agenda.

I also like how Hughes treats the futurist philosopher F.M. Esfandiary (who also called himself FM-2030) as a serious thinker. Many of FM-2030's speculations about the values and lifestyles of "Future Man" sound more plausible now than when he first promoted them in the 1970's and 1980's, and I would like to see his contributions receive more recognition.

I find fault with Hughes's book in the following areas, however:

1. He puts too much emphasis on the technology of baby-making, maybe he because writes for a "family values" friendly American readership, at a time when most developed democratic countries now face population declines, especially Japan. It looks as if people in democracies have better things to do than planning to create genetically improved offspring.

2. He doesn't deal with the threat Peak Oil poses to the future of technological civilization.

3. He fails to address the fact that aging people for the most part can't or won't integrate novelty and additional risks into their lives, and what this means for the acceptance of new technologies in aging democratic societies.

4. He doesn't explain how Transhumanism would address the conflict of secular modernity versus third-world christianity and traditional Islam.

5. He assumes that everyone will behave himself to thrash out all these policy issues through democratic processes, instead of looking for shortcuts to get his way.

6. And, he assumes that the people with superior energy, ability and ambition, regardless of their social origins, will just tolerate living under democratic rule, instead of using their enhancements to challenge the authorities, like Magneto from the X-Men mythos. (A few years ago I asked: How do we handle the prospect of the Evil Transhuman? Answer: Plan on becoming the first one!) Many philosophers have long recognized that most people (the vulgar) live closer to the animal level than a relative handful of humans who have greater capacity for cognition and achievement. These natural aristocrats chafe now under the regime of the vulgar -- so why wouldn't they use enhancements to break free from social-political constraints and start making their own rules?

Maybe Hughes will address these issues in the future books I've heard he plans to write. I find it unfortunate that this one seems to have fallen dead-born from the press, compared with the best-selling book Ray Kurzweil published about future technologies. I hope "Citizen Cyborg" can get its second wind, because the questions it raises will require social responses much sooner than we think.

The day I finished reading "Citizen Cyborg" I met friends for a late dinner in an upscale Georgetown bistro. As a measure of the power of medical ethicist James Hughes' book, our dinner conversation revolved around the potential of babies free of genetic defects, the elimination of most of the diseases that now decimates our population, the potential of creating non-human sentient beings that might well have legal rights, and the possibility of near immortality. The domination of these issues among such an eclectic group of young Washingtonians is a measure of the book's saliency in the first part of the twenty-first century. I recommend "Citizen Cyborg" as an entertaining, challenging, and provocative exploration of the meaning of the post-human in modern American society.

Part history, but especially an ethical perspective on the future, Hughes describes the efforts of those who seek to bring a future to humanity that offers the elimination of most diseases and enhances life through the use of drugs, careful eugenics, technological enhancement, and biotech innovations. The mapping of the human genome, according to Hughes, is just the beginning of a future in which human life might be radically improved. These possibilities also harbor questions and fears, as anything new and different has always done. Dubbing them "bioLuddites," Hughes suggests that those opposing these possibilities are organizing to ensure that the United States does not participate in the next fundamental transformation in human history. The biotech revolution has the potential, he believes, to be more significant than the Industrial Revolution that the United States embraced.

The battle lines in this debate are already being drawn, and skirmishes over stem cell research, pharmaceuticals, cloning, and related innovations are already underway. These are nothing compared to future controversies, according to Hughes. What do we do once we are presented with cloned human beings? Are those individuals citizens of the United States? What rights do they have? What will prospective parents do once they have the capability through mastery of the human genome to ensure that birth defects are eliminated in their fetuses? What if they had the capability to select genes for greater intelligence for their fetuses? Would they do so? Should they be allowed to do so? These are only some of the coming challenges.

The bioLuddites use arguments ranging from religion to Nazi eugenics to oppose any human intervention into these processes. Hughes takes a different approach. He argues that it is impossible to turn back these innovations and rather than trying we should seek to regulate and control them. He contends that the manner in which American society decides these challenges will chart the course for the future. He suggests that a faith in our democratic institutions is necessary here, and that through them we might reach decisions that will preserve human freedom and make possible a hopeful future. Through this process we might reach decisions on which of these potentials should be mandatory for all Americans, which should be forbidden, and which might be voluntary but carefully regulated.

To return to my Georgetown dinner conversation, there was no consensus among those at the table on these questions. Some embraced the potential changes and looked forward to having these new choices. Others were opposed, suggesting that it was "not nice to mess with Mother Nature." Some thought it was "playing god" and therefore inappropriate for humans. The diversity of responses at dinner mirrored the divisions in larger society, and if the forcefulness of beliefs expressed at the table is any guide, the debates in society will be difficult and trying.

It certainly seems that James Hughes is onto something important. "Citizen Cyborg" is an important exploration of what may well be the most critical issue of the twenty-first century.

New technologies are coming in the near future that have the potential to radically change what it means to be human. This book looks at why democratic societies must respond to things like cloning, genetic engineering and nanotechnology, instead of pretending that they don't exist.

What the author calls "bio-Luddites" are opposed to such new technologies, because they feel that mankind should be happy with its 70 (or so) years of life, characterized by increasing bodily disfunction in its later stages. Another reason for opposition is the vague, but always there, possibility of a disaster unleashing some new plague on the world. Some people say that taboos and gut feelings are the path to wisdom. If a new technology feels spooky, ban it immediately. The Catholic Church opposes such things because they are supposedly offensive to God.

On the other hand, if a person is found to be a carrier for, or genetically susceptible to, Disease X, don't they have the right to fix their DNA (assuming a safe and reliable method can be found to do so)? Those who call themselves transhumanists (based on humanism) believe that people should have the right to modify their bodies, whether the quest is for greater intelligence, longevity or a happier outlook on life. They are the first to assert that there must be adequate discussion beforehand, and adequate safeguards after the introduction of a new technology. Such things must also be available to all people, through some sort of universal health insurance, not just to the rich. Transhumanists have no desire to take over the world, but one of the subjects for social consideration has to be how to extinguish potential schisms between humans and posthumans. To those who think that some new regulatory agency is needed, the author does not agree. Agencies like the FDA and EPA will be able to do the job, if they ever get the funding and authority needed. Don't forget that 25 years ago, in vitro fertilization was considered an abomination; now it is practically mainstream.

This is a pretty specialized book, but it shouldn't be. Like it or not, the new technologies described in this book are coming in the near future. It is better to start discussing, now, how to deal with them, instead of just saying No. The reader may not agree with everything in this book, but it is an excellent place to begin that discussion.

"James Hughes has written a profoundly important book for anyone seriously seeking to understand the real ethical and religious issues, and possibilities, that confront humanity today. His voice, however, is one of reason and hope, as opposed to the politics and policies of fear that seem to have paralyzed the imagination of reactionary intellectuals of the right and the left who have dominated the discussion until now. Hughes is a true evolutionist, who recognizes that evolution is a continuing process, that the "cold, hard facts" of materialistic science and technology, are basically friendly, and that the fundamental liberal principles of liberty, equality, solidarity of persons, reason and progress are as just as real, and maybe even more important, today then at the time of the original enlightenment."
- Rev. Peter H. Christiansen (First Unitarian Church Los Angeles 1969 - 1976)

An amazing book. Hughes charts a bold vision for liberals and progressives to embrace the future. A must read for those who feel less than comfortable with the anti-tech left. This book shows that us tech progressives are not alone.

This book is a thought provoking look at what the future (maybe the near future) may hold. Advances in technology have always had an impact on humankind. But if the author is correct what we are about to see is a change in humankind. The author theorizes (convincingly) that nanotechnology, micro electronics, genetic advances, and computer advances will actual change us - that we will in fact become transhuman. Having painted the scenario the author explores the implications - for bio-ethics, for political institutions, and for humanity at large.

A word of warning - I 've had a really hard time discussing this concept with family and friends.

This book is an excellent read if you are one who ponders about the intricate complexities that underlie concepts such as granting robots "personhood" and whether an individual with a bionic arm falls under the category of "human" or still belongs to the species homo-sapiens. "Citizen Cyborg" is a scientifically thorough and meticulous, yet an easy read for the not-so-scientifically inclined too. The book touches upon nearly every scientific question that has sparked controversy in our world such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, life extension, genetic engineering, assisted suicide, and stem cell research.

A brief synopsis
The book is broadly divided into three sections, and is further split into fourteen chapters in all. The first section is devoted to describing "Tools for a better you" wherein the author delves into explaining concepts critical to controlling one's mind, body, life span, intelligence, and emotional well-being. The second section introduces the politically debated ethical questions of facing science and society such as cyborg citizenship, bio-politics of left winged bio-luddites on the one extreme and transhumanists on the other. The final section of the book is a vision the author holds of the future - issues related to freedom and equality among the cyborgs.

Style and structure

James Hughes is undoubtedly a talented writer, but his bias towards libertarian transhumanist policies is clearly evident throughout the book. The mere fact that he spends two out of the three sections talking of the glories of science and joys of enhancing humans speaks for the fact. The author addresses the reader in first person, therefore making the book more or less like a personal conversation, which is definitely a plus.
The book is extremely well structured and easy on the reader. Hughes brilliantly uses the strategy of divide-and-conquer. He not only breaks his book into easy to read sections and chapter, he further subdivides each of his chapters into smaller essays, which makes it wonderfully easy on the reader to grasp the overarching theme or idea Hughes wants to convey.


A look in-depth:

Living longer, healthier, happier, and smarter are the underlying themes of this first section as was previously stated. Hughes gives the reader a great overview on the myriad ways humans are currently working to improve the quality of life. The first chapter is mostly an overview of science, democracy and how numerous other governments treat science. It may be best summed up with the author's statement "using technology to live longer, smarter, and happier lives is not a substitute for spiritual wisdom, but it isn't a distraction either"
The bulk of the second and final sections of this book is devoted to biopolitics. The author starts, like a good scientist would, by describing his terms. He defines terms such as democratic and libertarian transhumanism, and left and right bioLuddism. Finally he talks in much depth about the main question that divides bioLuddites and transhumanists - "who should we grant citizenship?" While on the one hand bioLuddites advocate "human racism", and citizenship should be granted only to those with the human genome, "transhumanists" advocate that citizenship ought to be granted to anyone with feelings and consciousness.


Quotes:
* "Happiness is an illusive goal. . . New pharmaceuticals and nanotechnologies will permit us happiness and freedom from pain that are currently unimaginable"
- The author, James Hughes, in his introduction to his chapter titled "Being Happier".
* "Control over human nature is unlikely to lead to neglect of environmental improvement. Society might just ramp up kids' intelligence instead of providing them with better funded schools. But that wouldn't work very well, since smarter kids would only make the inadequacies of the school more glaring"
- James Hughes (pg 146) on the implications of genetic engineering.
* "We want nothing less than the right to determine our own evolution. We want the right live forever - to succeed with our revolution against death itself. So long as we have not overthrown the tyranny of death, all mankind belongs to the developing world, all mankind is proletarian"
-excerpt from FM-2030's Optimism One
* "I tell you, as long as I can conceive something better than myself I cannot be easy unless I am striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it. This is the law of my life. That is the working within me of Life's incessant aspiration to higher organization, wider, deeper, intense self-consciousness and clearer self-understanding."
- George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, in his four-act drama.

Final thoughts:
I would recommend this book to any individual who is interested in science that is ethically controversial. It is an educational, insightful, and entertaining read!

a revealing book about the future. technology had created mankind and civilization. but in the future technology is going to create human transformation into transhumanity. the author which is a leader in the formative transhumanism phenomena, reseaching the political and ethical implications of this transformation with a clear and convincing advocacy for democratic transhumanism. a must read book for anyone with open eyes for the future.

I loved this book, couldn't put it down. The author covers many important topics in regards to the past and future of human enhancement. I even contacted him after putting the book down and he gave me further insight and contacts into the philosophy of Transhumanism.

Get this book.

Literally couldn't put it down. This book gives me hope for the future of humanity. Anyone who is interested in a glimpse of a better future for themselves and their children must get this book.