AAAS - The World's Largest General Scientific Society

Programs: Science and Policy

http://shr.aaas.org//projects/human_enhance/index.shtml

AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

Projects and Activities

Human enhancement is the concept of applying science and technologies to expand cognitive and physical human capacities. Technologies for human enhancement that promise smarter children, faster and stronger athletes, more attractive physical features, and improved sexual performance are highly seductive. Today, we are bombarded by messages that reinforce the notion that enhancements via drugs, dietary supplements, and cosmetic surgery are readily accessible for personal self-improvement.

For many, enhancements promised by new and more powerful technologies will be seen as a logical extension of what is commonplace today, and it will be increasingly difficult to draw a clear line between their uses for therapeutic purposes and their use for enhancement.

Gene Doping
[2010]

Days before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, AAAS staff co-authored a Policy Forum in Science titled, "Gene Doping and Sport." More...

2010 News Article | Article Summary | PDF| Full Text

Public domain image courtesy of HealtherUS.gov

Human Enhancement in Sports
[2008]

In 2008, AAAS collaborated with the World Anti-Doping Agency in organizing a symposium on "Gene Doping," in St. Pertersburg, Russia, on June 10-11. Resulting from the meeting was the St. Petersburg Declaration on Gene Doping, which includes policy recommendations. More...

Human Enhancement in Sports
[2007-2008]

AAAS, along with the Hastings Center, co-sponsored a briefing on Capital Hill, informing policy makers and the public about the realities and dangers of gene-doping. AAAS has also co-sponsored a symposium with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on the issue and produced the St. Petersburg Declaration on Gene Doping subsequent to the meeting. More…

Public domain image courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories

Human Enhancement: Promise and/or Threat?
[2008]

At the 33rd Annual AAAS Science and Technology Policy Forum experts addressed the potential role of human enhancement in the military, age extension, cognitive enhancement, and sports. More...

The Power, Promise, and Risks of Science and Technology
[2007]

Human enhancement research and technologies offer many unprecedented opportunities and just as many unforeseen challenges to society’s view of human performance. To identify those opportunities and challenges, the AAAS Program on Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law convened a workshop in June 2006 involving scientists, ethicists, industry representatives, legal scholars, and policy analysts. More...

			Designing Our Descendants [2003] The Human Genome Project, discoveries in molecular biology, and new reproductive technologies have advanced our understanding of how genetic science may be used to treat persons with genetic disorders. Greater knowledge may also make possible genetic interventions to "enhance" normal human characteristics, such as height, hair or eye color, strength, or memory, as well as the transmittal of such modifications to future generations. More…

			Forum on Human Germline Interventions [2000] The Forum on Human Germline Interventions, organized by AAAS , convened a multi-disciplinary group of scientists, ethicists, and theologians to participate in discussions regarding scientific freedom and responsibility issues; the history and status of religious involvement; ethical and theological issues; therapeutic vs. enhancement applications; and setting policy and developing guidelines on human germline research and applications. More...

			Human Inheritable Genetic Modifications [2000] Rapid breakthroughs in genetic research, advances in molecular biology, and new reproductive technologies are enhancing our understanding of and responses to genetically inherited diseases. Among those advances is the possibility of modifying human genes that can be transmitted to future generations. More...

(page updated 02/29/2012)