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J Med Ethics 2006;32:513-518 doi:10.1136/jme.2005.013789
  • General ethics

Transhumanism, medical technology and slippery slopes

  1. M J McNamee,
  2. S D Edwards
  1. Centre for Philosophy, Humanities and Law in Healthcare, School of Health Science, University of Wales, Swansea, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Mike McNamee
 Centre for Philosophy, Humanities and Law in Healthcare, School of Health Science, University of Wales, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK; m.j.mcnamee{at}swansea.ac.uk
  • Received 28 July 2005
  • Accepted 10 November 2005

Abstract

In this article, transhumanism is considered to be a quasi-medical ideology that seeks to promote a variety of therapeutic and human-enhancing aims. Moderate conceptions are distinguished from strong conceptions of transhumanism and the strong conceptions were found to be more problematic than the moderate ones. A particular critique of Boström’s defence of transhumanism is presented. Various forms of slippery slope arguments that may be used for and against transhumanism are discussed and one particular criticism, moral arbitrariness, that undermines both weak and strong transhumanism is highlighted.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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