FABRICED
French and British Contemporary Ethical Debates on Human Enhancement: Building Dialogue and Shared Vocabulary
| Coordinatore | UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Organization address
address: TYNDALL AVENUE SENATE HOUSE contact info |
| Nazionalità Coordinatore | United Kingdom [UK] |
| Totale costo | 201˙392 € |
| EC contributo | 201˙392 € |
| Programma | FP7-PEOPLE
Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) |
| Code Call | FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF |
| Funding Scheme | MC-IEF |
| Anno di inizio | 2011 |
| Periodo (anno-mese-giorno) | 2011-09-01 - 2013-08-31 |
Partecipanti
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Organization address
address: TYNDALL AVENUE SENATE HOUSE contact info |
UK (BRISTOL) | coordinator | 201˙392.80 |
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Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)
'This project consists in a philosophical and empirical comparative inquiry on the French and British contemporary debates about human enhancement and an attempt to create a solid dialogue between the two communities involved. ‘Human enhancement’ refers to the improvement of human capacities by the use of new biotechnologies and other emergent technologies, in order for example to help people think better or feel happier. It has its roots in the therapeutic application of these technologies (healing of illness and relief of suffering) and in the fact that their effectiveness in this area has recently come to a second use in the efforts to elevate human feeling, improve cognition, and raise physical performance to higher levels. Some authors see the new possibilities opened as essentially ‘good’ and even a reason to anticipate a new utopia. Serious ethical concerns are also expressed, particularly about the autonomy of the individual, the nature of humanity, and justice in society and health care, most of these hopes and worries having been explored through various speculations in philosophy or fiction. Now, it appears that the French debate is using a partly different approach to the topic. Some major issues, like the distinction between ‘health’ and ‘disease’, or the question of the integration of enhancement treatments within the health care system, appear to be sometimes dealt with quite differently by French philosophers and professionals as compared to their British counterparts. However, it is of prime importance that we share a common understanding and vocabulary in the context of Europe policy-making on these sensitive questions. By learning about the Anglo-Saxon approaches to human enhancement and by learning and applying sociological research, the fellow wants to generate such a renewed understanding and shared vocabulary and thus contribute to the progress on these key questions for the future of humanity.'
Introduzione (Teaser)
Human enhancement is ethically complex and divisive. An EU project studied attitudes among the French and British, leading to development and clarification of the topic as well as a new framework for discussion.
Descrizione progetto (Article)
Essentially, the term human enhancement describes the improvement of human health, well-being or capacity through new biotechnologies. Opinions about the ethics of the subject are complex and cover the complete spectrum from strongly in favour to strongly against.
The EU funded the FABRICED project to study the differences between French and British attitudes to human enhancement. Based at the University of Bristol (United Kingdom), the study ran for two years, beginning in September 2011. The research was also intended to contribute to the debate and to explore the subject in a broader European context.
In conducting its investigation, the project interviewed 24 leading academics in the study countries, and participated in numerous conferences and other discussion meetings. One of the conferences was a public event. The team also created a network of researchers and a special interest group, and prepared several funding applications.
As a result, the consortium achieved a greater understanding of the meaning of the term enhancement in ethical policy discourse, and of the role of biosciences. In addition, the study established a common basis for future ethical debate, and enriched the discussion through new disciplinary perspectives. Numerous academic and popular publications are expected.
FABRICED developed and clarified the ethical issues surrounding human enhancement, which may lead to firmer policy guidelines for Europe.