What is the Role of ‘Human Nature’ and ‘Human Dignity’ in Our Biotechnological Age?

Abstract

Rapid developments in genetics and reproductive technologies, including the prospect of human genetic engineering, cloning and various forms of enhancing human capacities, oblige us to face very old questions that have been largely abandoned in modern philosophy. What does it mean to be human? What constitutes a meaningful life? Do human beings have intrinsic worthiness? What values should guide society in making its choices? In this paper, I first argue that these fundamental questions are today more valid than ever, and that they need to be specifically addressed in the context of human biotechnological interventions and not lumped together with other technological developments. Second, I briefly explore the question of whether the notions of human nature and human dignity can contribute to the efforts that are aimed at responding to the new dilemmas posed by technological interventions on ourselves and on our descendants.