Building a Better Body and Mind: The Ethics of Human Enhancement 

In recent years many thinkers and policy makers have made it clear that they are unnerved by the prospect of people choosing bioengineering to enlarge their breasts, smooth out their wrinkles, mellow out their moods, pep up their memories and otherwise engage in self-improvement or enhancement. I refer to these people “anti-meliorists” and their doubts “anti-meliorism.”

What the anti-meliorists argue that, if we don’t put a stop to things like laser surgery and liposuction, who knows where it will all end? Our children,  will wind up slugging down chemical concoctions of who knows what in the incessant pursuit of perfection. 

Is there a case for anti-meliorism?  What are the best arguments for and against seeking self-improvement through medicine, genetics, bioengineering and biochemistry?

key words: bioengineering, genetics, biochemistry
issue areas: Social and Cultural Trends, Health and Wellness Futures, Technology and Science