Converging NBIC Technologies for Improving Human Performance

For several decades, scientists and ethicists have considered the possibility of altering genes at the beginning of human life. Human germline genetic modification began to attract widespread attention as early as the 1960s (Evans 2002: 55–57). At that time, scientists and scholars began examining the benefits and harms that could come from attempting to alter genes at the earliest stage of human development.

In recent times, optimistic views have been advanced about the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science and the way in which this so-called NBIC convergence could and should be used to enhance human performance (Roco & Bainbridge 2003a, b; Roco & Montemagno 2004a; Roco 2004). These ideas have been elaborately developed and presented in several ‘NBIC workshops’ in the USA.2 This contribution focuses on two claims made by the proponents of the NBIC convergence. Firstly, it is argued that the project of “Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance” represents something genuinely new and quite unique.3 Secondly, it is maintained that the future prospects of this project are extraordinarily positive.4 In order to critically assess these two claims I will first focus on the question of whether there is indeed anything genuinely new about the project of improving human performance by means of converging NBIC technologies. Next I will analyze whether the project warrants that we be optimistic about its future prospects.