Americans Expect And Welcome Artificial Human Augmentation, But Not Brain Chip Implants
Americans have incredibly varied opinions about technologies that could potentially enhance human health, wellness and abilities. The Pew Research Center surveyed Americas regarding gene editing that would reduce the risk of illnesses in babies, computer implantations that would improve a person’s ability to concentrate and process information, and synthetic blood transfusions that would improve a human being’s speed, strength, and stamina. Most Americans appear to expect and welcome artificial human augmentation or technologies that could aid babies, however, they are not enthusiastic about the prospects of brain chip implants.
Most of those surveyed had some apprehensions about human augmentation, however, at least 81% expect that artificial organs will be the norm by 2066. Only 42% of participants anticipated that scientists would eliminate all birth defects through the manipulation of embryo genes. None of these technologies currently exist, nevertheless many Americans expect that they are entirely feasible enterprises.
Survey participants anticipated new technologies, but many were not eager to participate them. Almost two-thirds of those who were surveyed would not want an implanted device that would improve their cognitive purposes. 63% would not want synthetic blood substitutes that would improve their physical abilities and roughly 50% approved of any technology that could help babies.
Religious participants were more likely to disapprove of technological enhancements because they could potentially “meddle with nature”. Women were also more likely to be apprehensive about new technologies for the same reasons. Overall, the more permanent the enhancement, the more reluctant Americans were to embrace it.
