Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution

The dramatic advances in DNA technology over the last few years are the stuff of science fiction. It is now not only possible to clone human beings, it is happening. For the first time since the creation of the earth four billion years ago, or the emergence of human beings ten million years ago, people will be able to choose their children’s sex, height, colour, personality traits and intelligence. It will be even possible to create ‘superhumans’ by mixing human genes with those of other animals for extra strength or longevity. But is this desirable? What are the moral and political consequences? Will it mean anything to talk about ‘human nature’ any more? Is this the end of human beings?