(From left to right, Jasenka, Pavesi, Ana, Vincenzo,…)

Jasenka Markeljevic, Ana Planinc-Peraica, FEAMC Congress, Porto, October 2016

The dignity of life in the light of transhumanism / La dignité de la vie à la lumière du transhumanisme / A dignidade da vida à luz do trans-humanismo

Summary /Résumé/ Resumo

The analysis of dignity of life in the light of transhumanism confronts us with St. Peter’s question that echoes in Via Appia at the entrance to Rome: “Quo Vadis?” Why the application of scientific knowledge in nano technology and genetic engineering promotes the idea of transhumanism eliminating humanity, emotions, empathy and thus suffering from a human being? Is it possible that the ideal of the quality of life characterized by possessing, health and physical beauty, linguistic and social manipulation creates the illusion of civilization’s progress? In an anxious pursuit of material comfort and control of life, the security is lost in the area of human dignity, illness and suffering and, at the same time, a space for the idea of transhumanism is opened. In perspective, the most important is the multidisciplinary approach that respects the dignity of a human being as a fundamental value of the our community mobilizing all the existing humanistic oriented capabilities of our civilization. Faceing with the idea of transhumanism and crisis of values as the reflection of the state of consciousness of the society, our civilisation need the modeling of the individual conscience in a spirit of authentic expression of truth in ethical and moral attitudes.

Text /Texte/ Texto

The analysis of dignity of life in the light of transhumanism confronts us with St. Peter’s question that echoes in Via Appia at the entrance to Rome: “Quo Vadis?”. The life and dignity of human being is a gift, created in the image and likeness of God (Imago Dei) and must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition. It is sacred from conception to natural death and is beautifully expressed incouncils, encyclicals, and the Catechism. Belief that God is the creator of the world and the miracles of life has been suppressed by the rise of modern science considering reductionism, materialism, naturalism and trashumanism..The Copernican revolution had diminished human dignity by appearing to dislodge us from the centre of the cosmos, and Darwinian theory by affirming our continuity with the animals.The concept of human dignity has completely changed during the hystory under the influence of Social Darwinism, Newton’s deterministic spamming of Universe as unthinking machine and Freud’s system of psychology that have given further blow to human dignity. Basic scientific research and applied research constitute a significant expression of this dominion of man over creation. Therefore, they allow the realization of previously difficult scientific ideas and hypotheses that raise many questions about the protection of the dignity of human life and the ethical dimensions of the methodology of scientific research. Why is this happening today? Because in today’s civilization, science and medicine are converting into those who manipulate life and death, respectively. They interfere with the definition of its beginning and end, experiment with embryos and foetuses, participate in abortions and euthanasia of persons who are infirm, sick or disabled. The multidisciplinary approach that combines religious, scientific and philosophical knowledgeare needed in response to two key questions: first, when does a human life begin considering the genetic potential that ensures continuity, autonomy and uniqueness of each human being, and second, what is the theological, biological, social and legal status of the human embryo? The biotechnological advances significantly reflected in predictive medicine, called pre-implantation diagnosis; assisted reproduction., IVF procedure, the creation of “surplus embryos” and „designed child“- opens numerous legal and ethical problems, especially experiments with donated frozen embryos for the purpose of human cloning and research of incurable diseases.

Emphasizing the core values of our civilization and the need to protect the dignity of life, we are faced with consonance of ethical relativism with modern eugenics and transhumanism, the idea of dignity with quality of life, respect for human rights and freedom with fact thas it is easier to harm each other than to benefit each other; to kill or to save the life, to injure than to cure.. Why the application of scientific achievements in the field of biotechnology, genetic engineering and nano technology promotes the idea of transhumanism eliminating humanity, emotions, empathy and thus suffering from a human being? Is it possible that the ideal of the quality of life characterized by possessing, health and physical beauty, linguistic and social manipulation creates the illusion of civilization’s progress? In an anxious pursuit of material comfort and control of life, the security is lost in the area of human dignity, illness and suffering and, at the same time, a space for the idea of transhumanism is opened. In our present context, marked by a dramatic struggle between the culture of life and the culture of death, presence of progressive IT technology and the rapid development of science, there is an important role and responsibility of each individual to confront himself with the moral and ethical dilemmas relating to the society and to himself. Is our civilisation going to recognize the limitations of the current system based on the materialistic understanding of reality which leads to destruction? Or is it going to promote the culture of life, authentic ideals, concerns for each human being on an individual as well as a social level with an aim to affirm the dignity of life, in medical practice, education and scientific research, economics and politics? Freedom of action and reflection allows choice of either: are we dependant on ethical relativism or Absolute?

Does our faith is capable to transform our minds and our hearts? Faith is depending on the Absolute, on God, because man exists as an expression of absolute truth that is imprinted in our dignity, life, consciousness, conscience and heart. It is important to listen to the voice of conscience, and raise the awareness of the relationship with reality because it stems from the knowledge of the Absolute.The locus of this knowledge in our conscience is faith, flow of absolute into our lives, the criterion of moral action and scientific research In perspective, the most important is the multidisciplinary approach that respects the dignity of a human life as a fundamental value of the our community mobilizing all the existing humanistic oriented capabilities of our civilization. Facing with the idea of transhumanism in the scientific vision of our future as the reflection of the state of consciousness of the society, our civilisation need the modeling of the individual conscience in a spirit of authentic expression of truth in ethical and moral attitudes.