Join the conversation on the Human Future
The opening decades of the 21st century have begun to witness a vast, exponential increase in the development and impact of technologies - biotechnology, information technology and many others. Some believe that they will rapidly lead to a near-utopia in which human life is vastly longer and disease and pain are no more. Others fear our becoming mere cogs in a world of machines. While the truth probably lies between these two, how are Christians to engage the growing debates about emerging technologies, and plan for distinctive lives for themselves in the community of the church? We believe humans bear the image of God Himself. What implications does this have in the “brave new world” that may be dawning?
The challenges are on many levels. Abortion and destructive research on embryonic humans assumes that before birth our lives can be discarded. Legal euthanasia is now slowly spreading as an acceptable practice. But the advance of technology raises subtler and potentially greater issues. Should humans be “enhanced” with chips in their brains, or merged into cyborgs? Should we be enabled to live on this planet for much longer periods and perhaps, as some suggest, forever - with our brains in digital form? How can such technologies “enhance” us without undermining our distinctively human characteristics? There are no simple answers to these questions, but beginning with our belief that we are made in God’s image, Christians are in a good place to start to think through some answers.
How it Works
Select a conversation below and post a response at the bottom of that conversation page. Or start a new conversation by contributing an article, blog, video or other relevant content on the featured topics.People
Paul_Joshua
India
Mary DeMuth
United States
-
Joan Ball
United States
-
douglucas
United States
Dewi Hughes
United Kingdom
-
EddieArthur
United Kingdom
-
italker
United Kingdom
Rombo
Kenya
-
JenniferLahl
United States
Sunday Agang
Nigeria
Featured Conversations
- Emerging Technologies and the Human Future
By John_Wyatt | Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper
Australia
Topics: The Human Future
- Film Presents the Hidden Dangers, Health Risks, and Exploitation of Young Women Through Egg Donation
By JenniferLahl | Video
United States
Topics: The Human Future
- Is synthetic biology the original ’syn’?
By Matt_James | Article
United Kingdom
Topics: The Human Future
- Presumptuous Consent
By JenniferLahl | Article
United States
Topics: The Human Future
- New Film Coming Out This Summer
By JenniferLahl | Video
United States
Topics: The Human Future
- The wonder of the human body
By Matt_James | Article
United Kingdom
Topics: The Human Future
- Organ Donation
By JenniferLahl | Blog
United States
Topics: The Human Future
- Nanotechnology: Just engaging in small talk?
By Matt_James | Blog
United Kingdom
Topics: The Human Future
- Immortality
By JenniferLahl | Presentation
United States
Topics: The Human Future
Recent Responses
- Thank you Nigel and John.
The first example of man’s desire to manipulate genetics is found in Jacob’s attempt to increase the flock with spots…
J. P. K. Neville Jayasundara - 07.09.2010 - In Response To:
Emerging Technologies and the Human Future 
- A fictional concept that captures the same sentiment as the C.S. Lewis excerpts you quote is the "ring of power" in the "Lord of the…
Pete_Houston - 01.09.2010 - In Response To:
Emerging Technologies and the Human Future 
- This multiplex sesssion could include other ethical issues and emerging technologies, not only bioethical issues and medical technologies. What are the ethical concerns for other…
Valerie Lim - 26.08.2010 - In Response To:
Emerging Technologies and the Human Future 
- I’m not sure from what perspective these postings are being made; I don’t seem to find a spiritual conclusion or rationale.
This one thing I…
Joseph Paul Cadariu - 17.08.2010 - In Response To:
My Sister’s Savior 
- @Therese
Thanks so much for your reply. I appreciate you sharing these specific resources with us. I do hope to meet you in Cape…
Cody Lorance - 02.07.2010 - In Response To:
The Poor, Blind, Lame & Crippled - alltoug I have sent comment at the original text page. I like to copy it here.
The European Disability Network is indeed a network of…
Therese - 02.07.2010 - In Response To:
The Poor, Blind, Lame & Crippled - Good reflections. Regarding our participation in humankind as a whole, the question of human unity is ever before us. Whether one looks to the Judeo-Christian…
RCW - 07.04.2010 - In Response To:
Learning to get along with my two global families 
- Todd, excellent article and thank you for the Atlas of Global Christianity. It is really brilliant. The figures on the growth of Christianity in the…
Josias Conradie - 02.04.2010 - In Response To:
Learning to get along with my two global families 
- Todd, your article resonates so deeply, the reality of our human bond, even though we have fought and tried so hard to keep different turfs…
Grace Samson - 24.03.2010 - In Response To:
Learning to get along with my two global families
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | The Lausanne Global Conversation is powered by World Wide Open | What is World Wide Open?