This blog post examines whether human performance enhancement represents true progress or a dangerous choice that risks losing our humanity.
Yuval Noah Harari, author of ‘Homo Deus’, argues that future advancements in science and technology will enable humans to become stronger through biotechnology and other means. For instance, he states that enhancements like stronger immune systems, above-average memory, brighter temperaments, or the abilities of genius artists or athletes will inevitably be pursued. Just as plastic surgery, initially developed to treat facial injuries in soldiers, has transformed into a tool for improving the appearance of healthy people and beautifying the wealthy, performance enhancement, though starting as a therapeutic goal, will ultimately become an end in itself.
Looking at history so far, the wealthy or so-called elites have enjoyed many social and political advantages, but the biological differences between them and the poor were not significant. However, the human performance enhancement discussed here could create biological differences. The physical and cognitive capabilities of humans could actually diverge, potentially creating a separate class of superhumans distinct from those who have not undergone enhancement. But fundamentally, we must question whether such performance enhancement is truly necessary.
First, consider the reasons for desiring performance enhancement. Of course, it could be pursued for therapeutic purposes to reduce life’s inconveniences. However, the primary motivation for enhancing intelligence, athletic ability, and other capacities is likely the desire to be superior to others. If so, where does this endless cycle of performance enhancement through comparison ultimately lead? And it is questionable whether human performance can be artificially enhanced so easily. Even if it were possible, since such enhancement isn’t achieved through one’s own effort, it’s doubtful whether it would truly benefit that person’s life.
Using drugs might allow one to feel only joy and pleasure without any unpleasantness. But we can easily predict what happens to drug addicts. What comes easily without effort is alluring, but ultimately, those people become dependent on drugs, craving more while remaining unsatisfied in reality, leading to despair. Of course, the drug example is extreme, but performance enhancement, too, will inevitably lead to a cycle of seeking ever greater improvements through comparison with others, potentially resulting in a dependent life incapable of self-reliance.
Next, let’s consider the potential problems that could arise if performance enhancement leads to superhumanization. Humans have been divided by status up until now, but their fundamental structure has remained unchanged. However, if we can alter the structure of human intelligence or physique, this would create a more fundamental difference than the existing disparities based on status and wealth. Perhaps superhumans, perceived as superior to unenhanced humans, could give rise to a new class between humans and superhumans. In such a scenario, unenhanced humans would face greater discrimination, which is ethically undesirable.
Ethical issues also exist. Enhancing humans who are already grown and stable for performance enhancement would be difficult. Therefore, a more easily conceivable approach is to manipulate embryos, where much remains undetermined. However, creating designer babies would likely involve numerous failures, much like the 250 failed attempts before the birth of the cloned sheep Dolly. These failed embryos would be discarded. Since embryos can be considered living beings, discarding these ‘failures’ could lead to a disregard for human life. Furthermore, who would bear responsibility if a deformed child were born by accident? Ethical questions would constantly arise.
There is also the issue of genetic diversity. Maintaining genetic diversity plays a crucial role in a species’ survival. For example, bananas were bred into a single variety for greater profit, and currently, 95% of bananas sold in the market are the Cavendish variety. However, this monoculture has created an environment vulnerable to novel pandemics, and other banana varieties now face extinction. While there is no guarantee that human performance enhancement will make us vulnerable to new pandemics, the process of selecting only superior genes carries the risk of damaging genetic diversity. Should a novel pandemic emerge under such circumstances, the consequences would be devastating.
Furthermore, the issue of social diversity warrants consideration. Humans inherently possess diverse characteristics, and it is through the harmony of this diversity that we have created varied cultures. However, selecting only superior genes for performance enhancement could foster a rigid culture and cultivate a societal atmosphere that fails to respect diversity. Consequently, it could lead to a world incapable of producing new and creative cultural artifacts.
We must also question whether enhanced human performance is truly beneficial. For instance, is possessing memory superior to the average truly beneficial? Humans find mental order and stability through forgetting. If painful memories cannot be forgotten, this would be detrimental to mental health and could even lead to mental illness. Genius artists haven’t always lived happy lives. The artist Vincent van Gogh was intensely sensitive and unstable, ultimately ending his life by suicide. Having more muscle mass than others doesn’t necessarily make one superior. Depending on the situation, having more muscle mass could even be a disadvantage.
In other words, improving performance doesn’t guarantee a good life. Being superior to others in a specific ability can sometimes be a disadvantage depending on the circumstances. It may be unreasonable to judge which human traits are good and which are bad.
Furthermore, pursuing performance enhancement could be seen as striving for a flawless, error-free state. Yet we must recognize the value of imperfection. Humans have grown through deficiency and suffering; these experiences have shaped our humanity. If imperfection vanishes, it is questionable whether we can maintain the very humanity that has existed through empathy with imperfection.
The concept of performance enhancement is a matter for the future, but Yuval Noah Harari, author of ‘Homo Deus’, warns that it will inevitably occur. However, becoming superhuman through performance enhancement does not automatically guarantee a good life. We must carefully consider the negative consequences that performance enhancement could bring. Performance enhancement driven simply by the desire to be superior to others warrants careful scrutiny.
