better people or enhanced humans? a toolkit resource better people or... · better people or...

Better People or Enhanced Humans? A Toolkit Jan 2016

1

‘Better People or Enhanced Humans?’ A Toolkit Resource

Purpose The purpose of this resource is to support the learning and understanding that Christians can gain from reading the book ‘Better People or Enhanced Humans?’ written by Justin Tomkins. ‘Better People or Enhanced Humans’ is a superb introduction to one of the most important issues the Church has to engage with today: what does it mean to be human in the 21st Century? Skillfully combining both a cautionary warning and a message of hope, it explores the ethical, social and theological implications of new and emerging developments in medicine and technology. The author communicates these issues in a way that is easy to understand for all Christians - whether from a science or theological background or not - never trivialising or losing the important details. At the same time as identifying some of the perils that the future could present, Tomkins is equally bold to proclaim the promise we have in Christ and the truth that our future is ultimately in God’s hands.

Format This ‘tool kit’ of different activities is designed to offer some practical steps to help engage further and apply some of the ideas addressed in the book. Both individuals and small groups can build and design their own plan of activities to suit their needs and interests. Linking closely with the chapters of the book, the tool kit runs over seven sessions. The tool kit consists of the following:

THINK: Questions to ponder

WATCH: Films to watch

ACT: Practical next steps

READ: Further reading

CONNECT: Points to pray into


2

By the end of the seven sessions it is anticipated that Christians will be able to:

Recognise the key developments in the field of human enhancement

Reflect on and apply theological ‘tools’ in thinking through the challenges presented by technologies that enhance human functioning.

Judge and evaluate how to live as a Christian in a technological society.

Critically engage with the public discussion surrounding human enhancement.


3

Plan

[1] Our technological world Based on chapter 1 ‘Our technological world’ THINK: Questions to ponder

1. Can you think of valuable gifts you have received which have required careful thought in order to use them well?

2. Do you have a sense of the role of technology within God’s plans and purposes?

3. What are you most excited about, and most fearful about, as you think about the future?

4. Are there aspects of technology to which you would like to say ‘Enough’? Do you think it might be possible to do that?

5. What passages of scriptures come to mind that could help inform and shape how Christians are to live in a technological world?

WATCH: Films to watch

AI (Artificial Intelligence) (2001)

The Island (2005)

Minority Report (2002)

Never let me go (2005)

ACT: Practical next steps

a) Subscribe to a regular science and technology magazine (such as Wired or Focus). Use this as a starting to keep up to date with developments in new technology.

b) Start a small group that meets on a regular basis to discuss and shape a Christian response to new advances in technology.

c) Take time to reflect upon the ways in which our lives and the life of the Church are affected and shaped by technology – both positively and negatively? In what ways can we embrace and celebrate technology? What steps could be taken to help address the negatives and challenges?


4

READ: Further reading

Brock, B. 2010. Christian Ethics in a Technological Age.

Huxley, A. Brave New World.

Kurzweil, R. 1999. The Age of Spiritual Machines.

Kelly, K. 2011. What Technology Wants.

Ramachandra, V. 1997. Gods That Fail: Modern Idolatry & Christian Mission

CONNECT: Points to pray into

Take time to pray for all who work in the fields of science, medicine and technology. Pray that God would grant them the necessary wisdom and skill to do their work as they seek to advance our understanding of the world around us.

Thank God for all the ways in which technology can support human relationships (for instance, texting between friends, email and Skype for keeping in contact with family members in different parts of the world). Pray that in our use of technology we would never disregard or devalue the importance of true, physical human interaction.

Pray for those working in both of the areas of science and technology and public policy, that they would be guided in their work by principles which help to celebrate humanity flourishing.


5

[2] What is human enhancement? Based on chapter 2 ‘Introducing human enhancement’ and chapter 3 ‘Key issues raised by human enhancement’. THINK:

1. In what sense is it possible for a person to become ‘better’?

2. What experience do you have of media headlines sensationalizing scientific, medical or technological developments?

3. Do you think the use of drugs such as Ritalin amongst university students needs to be monitored, or regulated or prohibited?

4. Is it important to be able to distinguish between therapy and enhancement? 5. How do you react to the claim made in chapter 3 that forms of Human

Enhancement involve an attempt to seek through human efforts a transformation which is only possible as a gift from God?

6. Is it fair to claim that transhumanism is itself an alternative religion?

WATCH:

Limitless (2011)

The Incredibles (2004)

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) ACT:

Take some time to read more about the topic of human enhancement. What questions fascinate you the most? Aim to become an ‘expert’ in the area and begin to further your learning and understanding of the issues. As something to work towards you might consider asking your minister or pastor if you could lead a small group evening for your church exploring the ethical and social issues and considering how the Bible speaks to these issues.

Consider what practical ways you could help those around you and demonstrate ‘love for neighbour’. It might be to volunteer with a local charity, visit a neighbor who is currently housebound or offer your skills to help someone in need.


6

Transhumanism is often referred to as a new alternative religion, so design a tract (a short, sharp evangelism handout) for transhumanists to communicate the truth of the Christian gospel. Compare and contrast the points that transhumanists are most interested in and are seeking to find through ‘technological salvation’. Take some time to reflect upon the points made in Better People or Enhanced Humans?, engage in some background reading and web searching into transhumanism. Think about how you would design your tract in a respectful and loving way, at the same time as being clear on what you believe. Printed tracts are not probably going to ‘cut it’ with tech savy searchers of truth! So what creative and innovative ways could you come up with to communicate and share your ideas and message in a relevant way?

READ:

Sandel, M. 2007. The Case against Perfection. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press.

Harris, J. 2007. Enhancing Evolution – The Ethical Case for Making Better People. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Moore, P. 2008. Enhancing Me: The hope and hype of human enhancement.

Agar, N. Truly Human Enhancement: A philosophical defense of limits.

Deanne Drummond, C., Manley Scott, P. 2010. Future Perfect? God, Medicine and Human Identity. London: T&T Clark.

CONNECT:

Thank God for the gift of salvation and redemption – the only true way to transformation.

Pray for any people you know who are currently unwell or experiencing an episode of ill-health, that they would experience God’s healing, comfort and peace at this time.

Pray for one another, in our families and church communities, as we wrestle with our particular weaknesses and care for one another.


7

[3] Visions of the future Based on chapter 4 ‘Three visions of an enhanced future’. THINK:

1. To what extent is the technological future shaped by dreams and visions?

2. How do you react to Aubrey De Grey’s view that ageing and death are scandalous?

3. To what lengths would you be prepared to go, or would you have been prepared to go, have a child?

4. What questions would you most like to ask each of Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom and Aubrey De Grey?

WATCH:

‘The Matrix’ trilogy (The Matrix 1999, The Matrix Reloaded; Matrix Revolutions 2003)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) (2001)

Multiplicity (1996)

Ghost in the Shell (1995) ACT:

Visit the webpage of the House of Commons Science and Technology select committee (http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/). Take some time to familarise yourself with the work of the committee, its recent enquiries and their findings and recommendations. Track the future work of the committee and where appropriate consider how you could engage with their work (writing a written response in response to call for evidence, attending a public session of the committee).

Either online or with hard copies, review recent news stories which concern advances in science and technology. Select one story and imagine you have been asked to comment on the story from a Christian perspective. What key points would you want to make? How does the Bible speak to the issue in question?

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/


8

Take time to brainstorm some of the discoveries and inventions in the field of science and technology that have taken place over the course of the past 50-100 years. Ask yourself the following questions:

o What do you think life would be like if they had not been invented? o What do you think was the motivation behind these discoveries? o Pick two or three of the ideas you’ve come up with and find out some

of the detail and background to the discovery. Are there any common values and/or ethical frameworks which shaped the discovery or invention?

READ:

Ellul, J. 1990. The Technological Bluff. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Kaku, M. 2012. Physics of the Future: The Inventions That Will Transform Our Lives. London: Penguin Books.

Kelly, K. 2010. What Technology Wants. London: Viking.

Lewis, C.S. 1943. The Abolition of Man. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Rees, M. 2004. Our Final Century: Will civilization survive the 21st century? London: Arrow Books.

Waters, B. 2006. From Human to Posthuman: Christian Theology and Technology in a Postmodern World. Aldershot: Ashgate.

CONNECT:

Pray that Christians wouldn’t be afraid or fearful about the future but would actively engage with it, communicating a message of hope and truth to the world in which we live.

Thank God for hospices and other palliative care agencies that care for those approaching the end of life. Pray that they would have the necessary resources to continue to show care, compassion and support.

In the midst of a ‘high tech’ society pray that the Church would increasingly play its part in forming ‘high touch’ communities that practically demonstrate a clear sense of grace, identity, value and belonging.


9

[4] Developing theological tools for engagement (1) Based on chapter 5 ‘Finding theological tools with which to work’, chapter 6 ‘Some body to love’, chapter 7 ‘Now and not yet’. THINK:

1. How important do you feel it is to live today in the light of what lies ahead?

2. Is ‘love’ the central tool for theological engagement with the world?

3. To what extent do we need to be celebrating significant human achievements such as the ability to launch ocean-going ships?

4. What are the most significant factors that shape your identity?

5. Is your body a true representation of who you are? 6. Do you consider your body to be a temple? If so, what does that mean to

you? 7. What are you waiting for with the greatest passion? 8. Do your commitments to family, friends, colleagues and others demonstrate

the significance of both what is ultimate and penultimate, the now and the not yet?

WATCH:

Marvin’s Room (1996)

Two Weeks (2007)

Gattaca (1997)

Bicentennial Man (1999)

ACT:

Take the time to invest in relationships by thinking of one person you could meet up with or make a phone call to today. Relationships allow you to share memories and celebrate life.

Scan a selection of newspapers and magazine and consider how the human body is portrayed and presented. Compare and contrast this with a Biblical understanding of identity and the human body. Where possible select and cut out images which particularly strike you. Make a collage contrasting the two perspectives.


10

Take a moment to celebrate the past, including the highs and lows, the successes and failures. Reviewing the past helps to shape the future.

What kind of society would you like to see you child or grandchild to grow up in? What steps could you take to help contribute to that future?

READ:

Kurzweil, R. 2005. The Singularity is Near. New York: Penguin.

Silver, L. Remaking Eden – Cloning, Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humankind? London: Phoenix Giant.

Messer, N. 2011. Respecting life: Theology and Bioethics. London: SCM Press.

Du Grey, A. 2007. Ending Ageing: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs that could reverse Human ageing in our lifetime. New York: St Martin’s Press.

CONNECT:

Thank God that we are each ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14). Pray that we would all develop a sound understanding of the truth of our identity in Christ and how this shapes how we live.

Thank God for the advances in the fields of genetics and biology which are opening up many exciting opportunities to help heal and restore those who suffer with long-term genetic conditions.

Pray that we would show empathy and practical care and support to those families affected by genetic illness and disease.


11

[5] Developing theological tools for engagement (2) Based on chapter 8 ‘Making it up as as we go along’, chapter 9 ‘Living with limits’, chapter 10 ‘Looking after number one?’ and chapter 11 ‘It’s life Jim, but not as know it’. THINK:

1. Which aspects of your life seem predictable and which aspects have taken you by surprise?

2. How have you responded to the unexpected elements of your life? 3. Have you ever experienced medicine being treated as if it can solve all human

problems? 4. What are the similarities and differences between the ways doctors and

church leaders have been treated in your experience? 5. Can you identify other artistic skills, in addition to improvisation, which might

provide us with inspiration for living in a technological world? 6. If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?! 7. Are there human limits which you find particularly difficult to accept? If so,

what are they? 8. What emotions arise within you when you contemplate ageing and death? 9. What helps and hinders you in the challenge of loving others? 10. What social pressures do you

experience to focus on yourself the cost of showing love to others?

11. If you could have a cyber-butler of the type described by Susan Greenfield, what would you most appreciate about it? How do you imagine it would affect your relationships with others?

WATCH:

I, Robot (2004)

The Island (2005)

Robot and Frank (2012)

The Cider House Rules (1999)

Juno (2007) ACT:

Take a walk around your local area or visit a neighbouring city and look around at the architecture. Think about the ideas, ethics and motivation that inspired the design. How does this affect and influence the life of those living and working in the area?


12

Take a look through a daily newspaper or a weekly news magazine such as TIME, Newsweek or The Economist. Read and reflect on the stories by thinking about what life was like 10 years ago and imagining what life could be like in 10 years time. Begin to identify and track emerging trends.

The Dying Matters Coalition have reported that that whilst 68% of people said they were comfortable talking about it death, less than a third (29%) of people have discussed their wishes around dying. Take some time to talk about the end of life with family and close friends and relatives. The idea is not to be gloomy, to upset ourselves or upset others but rather give the opportunity to consider a significant episode in our lives, that is often never talked about. It gives the chance for people to have their say about their own death and their approach to the end of life.

READ:

Harris, J. 2007. Enhancing Evolution – The Ethical Case for Making Better People. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Greenfield, S. 2003. Tomorrow’s People: How 21st Century Technology is Changing the Way We Think and Feel. London: Allen Lane.

Huxley, A. Brave New World. London: Vintage Books.

Wyatt, J. 2009. Matters of life and death. Nottingham: IVP.

O’Donovan, O. 1984. Begotten or made? Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sutton, A. 2008. Christian Bioethics: A guide for the perplexed. London: T&T Clark.

CONNECT:

Thank God for the thousands of national and local charities dedicated to alleviating the effects of life-limiting illnesses and providing research, information, advice and practical support to those affected.

Thank God for the development of new technologies that are helping to support older people in later life, in some cases assisting them to live in their own homes.

Psalm 71:9 says “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone”. Pray that as a society we would not despise and cast off those who are elderly and frail but seek to show respect, love and support to them.


13

[6] Engaging effectively Based on chapter 12 ‘Communicating well’, chapter 13 ‘Avoiding the idolizing of efficiency’. THINK:

1. Which issues does society tend to demand that we keep in touch with? 2. Which areas of the media most shape your understanding of others, such as

politicians? Do you feel these influences are trustworthy? 3. How would you like to be remembered by others after your death? 4. In what ways, if any, can you identify technology to be embedded within our

society today? 5. What evidence can you find to suggest that efficiency is a key characteristic

of our society today? 6. What importance do you place upon efficiency within your own life? Why?

WATCH:

Departures (2008)

Transcendence (2014)

1984

Minority Report (2002) ACT:

Technology is not exclusively what we might think of as ‘high tech’ but covers any ‘tools’ that enable us to do more than we could do without them. With this in mind, think about how technology could be used in your local area to build community. For instance, a community garden or allotment, a home delivery service for the house bound using instant messaging (IM) or text, a community clear up/recycling team. What part could you play in setting this up if it does not exist at present?

What are the ethics and values that shape your life and inform your decisions? Take some time to reflect on this and compose a personal creed which sets out what you believe.


14

Investigate and explore the use of new technologies in developing world countries. What benefits are they bringing to people living in these countries? How is the application of technology in these countries improving living standards? What still needs to be done – both in terms of advances in science and technology as well as political and human resolve to see the benefits of the technology realized? Some websites which might be worth visiting in the first instance include:

o World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org.uk o Tearfund – http://www.tearfund.org o Practical Action – http://practicalaction.org o African Centre for Technology Studies - http://www.acts-net.org/ o Computer Aid International - http://www.computeraid.org

READ:

Ellul, J. 1964. The Technological Society. Toronto: Vintage Books.

Huxley, A. 2007. Brave New World. London: Vintage Books.

Dickenson, D. 2013. Me Medicine vs. We Medicine: Reclaiming Biotechnology for the Common Good. Columbia: Columbia University Press

CONNECT:

Thank God for the many ways in which the Church is proclaiming God’s truth and demonstrating His compassion through thousands of initiatives and local projects serving individuals and families. Pray for your local church leaders as they consider ways to be effective light and salt.

Thank God for those charities and organisations working in the developing world providing humanitarian aid and support to many communities. Pray that the use and application of new technologies will help to unlock human potential and bring about sustained change to peoples’ lives.

Pray for yourself that your use of technology would help to celebrate what it means to be human.

http://www.worldvision.org.uk/

http://www.tearfund.org/

http://practicalaction.org/

http://www.acts-net.org/

http://www.computeraid.org/


15

[7] Bringing out the God flavours in the world Based on chapter 14 ‘Recognising risks without being afraid’, chapter 15 ‘Being salt and light in this context. THINK:

1. Which risks do you feel are most significant in relation to how you live you own life today?

2. Which risks and threat do you feel are most significant in relation to the world as whole over the coming decades?

3. How might the Church respond to issues of fear and reality in our climate of global risks?

4. How does your hope for the future affect the way you live today? 5. Which needs within society today in relation to Human Enhancement and

other issues of technology do you perceive to be most important? 6. Are there any practical steps you feel God calling you to take to be salt and

light in relation to these subjects? WATCH:

Amazing Grace (2006).

The Constant Gardener (2005).

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). ACT:

Invite members from another church congregation to come and share what they are doing. Take time to pray God’s blessing upon them as they seek to serve the Lord and their community.

Arrange to attend your local MP’s constituency surgery. Seek to offer your support as they serve you as your elected representative but also spend time asking them what their vision is for the constituency. How do they see the constituency in 10-20 years time? What role can the Church play in realizing that vision?

READ:

Savulescu, J., N. Bostrom (eds.). 2010. Human Enhancement. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Rees, M. 2004. Our Final Century: Will civilization survive the 21st century? London: Arrow Books.


16

Wyatt, J. 2009. Matters of life and death. Nottingham: IVP. CONNECT:

Thank God that He has called us as the body to continue Jesus’ work of reconciliation and reveal Him to the world. Pray that He would give us the boldness and strength to overcome our fears and to seek that unity which God so desires.

Thank God that it is He who works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Phil 2:13). As many of us live in seasons of transition and uncertainty may we be comforted by the truth that God works on our behalf, working in us, around us and through us.

Take time to reflect on the words of the popular worship song ‘Great is the Lord’. Instead of singing the song use the words as a prayer to God. What lines strike you the most? Why?

Great, is the Lord and most worthy of praise The city of our God, the Holy place The Joy of the whole world. Great, is the Lord in whom we have the victory He aids us against the enemy We bow down on our knees. And Lord we want to lift your name on high And Lord we want to thank you For the works you've done in our lives And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love For you alone are God eternal Throughout earth and heaven, above. Great, is the Lord and most worthy of praise The city of our God, the Holy place The Joy of the whole world. Great, is the Lord in whom we have the victory He aids us against the enemy We bow down on our knees. 1985 Maranatha! Music Words and Music by Steve McEwan

http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%202.13

better people or enhanced humans? a toolkit resource better people or... · better people or...

Documents