Over the course of history, humans have showcased their ability to adapt to their environment time and time again. Each time, a turning point came about in human evolution. Early humans, are a great example as they discovered and won control over fire. This early technology changed the culture at the time. These early humans also won control over tools, which they used to build shelter, make clothes, and hunt for food. Homo sapiens has displayed intellect and resource- fulness, maximising its ability to survive. However, mankind’s desire to change does not stop at changing the world around them. Humans desire to surpass also themselves, in order to become the so-called Homo Superior. These aspirations are fuelled by stories from cultural history which kept mankind dreaming of becoming more than just human. From immortals in Greek mythology such as Tithonus, to early Science-Fiction novels such as Frankenstein, to the introduction of superheroes in comic books. All of these instances have tickled the desire to evolve, and surpass, themselves and their human-bound limitations.

In practice, humans today do not differ much from their predecessors, in terms of the desire to improve themselves. Mankind aims to better itself by focussing on aspects of its day to day life. People improve their minds through education, disciplined thinking, and meditation; their bodies by sculpting their bodies, and eliminate diseases; their mood by controlling their emotions; and moral by showing a greater affection for their fellow human beings.

The prospect of human enhancement has attracted considerable attention from scholars, the media, and policymakers alike. Each have debated the ethical and moral desirability of such circumstances and the practical, social, and legal implications arising from a culture of human enhancement.

The breadth of these implications cannot be underestimated, as both advocates and critics of human enhancement agree that it will change the course of human evolution.

Ethical debates about human enhancements have taken place within various bodies of literature, including bioethics, animal ethics, environmental ethics, political science and the social scientific study of medicine. Each of these areas approach the significance of human enhancement from quite different perspectives.

This article aims to show my opinion on the matter of transhumanism. In order to do so, argumentation from those in favour and will be presented. Additionally, my aim is to refute any argument posed by those who are fiercely against it, as It is in my opinion that the logical next step in human evolution is the incorporation of technology in the human body.

But before we can delve into the discussion a number of key terms need to be explained. So first thing first, what exactly is human enhancement?

Human enhancement refers to any attempt to temporarily or permanently overcome limitations of the human body through natural or artificial means. Current technologies include reproductive technology, embryo selection, genetic diagnosis, cognitive enhancers, and plastic surgery. In recent years, genetic engineering is emerging as an enhancement technology. Possible speculative technologies such as mind uploading are rapidly entering the realm of possibilities.

In the context of this article, the term is applied to the use of technology to alter human characteristics and capabilities beyond the existing human range.

Three general models are identified within the scope of human enhancement. These are the beyond therapy, quantitative, and qualitative model, which are described below.

The beyond therapy model sees enhancement as every intervention that does not restore the body to normal species features or functioning. However, this model makes a couple of assumptions. Under this model description, vaccinations can be seen as an enhancement. Furthermore, The term ’normal’ does not exist, it is a statistical derivative. The model also suggests too much of an ethical implication, as it moralises the word ’normal’.

The quantitative model sees enhancement as every intervention that adds something to normal species functioning. This model implies that some interventions, that are considered as enhancement, could reduce or diminish features or functioning. Examples include the use of growth inhibitors to halt the cell division process in a person suffering from gigantism, the reduction of breasts for a woman with back problems as a direct cause and sex change operations.

Perhaps the least intuitive of the three models, is the qualitative model. This model sees enhancement as every intervention that improves personal or subjective well-being. This last model suggest that an enhancement does not imply only additions to the human body. Let me illustrate with the following example.

Consider a person suffering from Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID). BIID is classified as a mental disorder, where subjects feel that there exists a mismatch between the mental body image and the actual physical body. The person suffering from BIID can, as a result of the experienced mismatch, develop the desire to have a limb amputated. In this case, amputating the limb would be considered human enhancement, on the ground of mental health.

Four main categories in which the humans desire to enhance themselves exist. These are the 4M’s:

Muscle enhancements concerns the physiological functions. Muscle enhancement concerns the physiological functions. In this domain, desired are the elimination of genetic diseases, heart diseases, and cancer. Also, improved immunity is widely desired. Superficial muscle desires are also included such as athletic bodies and stunning beauty. As presented in the beginning of the article, super-human capabilities such as invulnerability, longevity, and immortality fall under the concept of muscle enhancement.