Ethical aspects of the future

[Goofball]

What is this ethics, and where can I buy some?

I made a point of cheating on the final exam in my uni Ethics course...

[ajaxfetish]

While I haven't got any pressing ideas on the ethics of such things, not having given it much thought as of yet, I have trouble thinking of a child not yet having its own will. I could accept that that will is not fully developed, or continues to be heavily influenced by the wills of others, but in my conception of 'will' the child would have one from the beginning.

Ajax

[rory_20_uk]

The "rightness" of an act alters according to time. Some (or indeed many) might not shy away from the thought of either genetic, biological or cybernetic addons, but this might alter in the future.

Personally I cautiously think it is a good idea. We're competely messing with evolution at the moment, so we need to then start altering things ourselves. Sure, sometimes it will be a disaster and some will suffer, but the same is true with any development.

Concerning examples such as the coma victim, living wills would be the answer, with specific instructions on whether people want to be turned off, or be "ressurected" as someone else.

No one needs to be forced to do anything. Those with modifications will rise faster than those without, and as modifications improve this trend will accelerate. Whilst some provaricate, others (possibly deliniated on national boundries) will enable themselves to be faster, stronger, smarter.

We are already seeing how blocking research merely means that others get a headstart on the technology. Ethics is a good way to use the old brain, but in the end the fact that others are doing it will all but force the rest to join in.