The machine in the body: Thical and religious issues in the bodily incorporation of mechanical devices

Abstract

A substantial portion of the developed world’s population is increasingly dependent upon machines to make their way in the everyday world. For certain privileged groups, computers, cell phones and PDAs, all permitting the faster processing of information, are commonplace. In these populations, even exercise can be automated as persons try to achieve good physical fitness by riding stationary bikes, running on treadmills, and working out on cross-trainers that send information about performance and heart rate.