Planning for the Future in Space – With or Without Radical Biomedical Human Enhancement?

Abstract

In our chapter, we want to point out the long-term ethical implications of the concept of space exploration and exploitation, which are usually overlooked today. Future space exploration and exploitation is assumed today as a certain part of human development and includes space tourism, scientific missions, space mining, as well as, in the further future, permanent settlement. But will not such long-term space exploration require the application of extraordinary solutions? In our chapter, we want to analyze this question with regard to the possible obligation or requirement to apply radical human enhancement. Among other things, we want to refer to the feminist perspective and also pay attention to issues such as exclusion and power structures. After all, it is impossible not to analyze the future of human beings in space without drawing attention to current capitalist exploitation of a global nature. We also point out that certain groups such as workers, women, and people with disabilities will be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and exclusion in space, and that human enhancement may negatively affect their social standing and empowerment.

Citation

Abylkasymova, R. and Szocik, K. (2024), "Planning for the Future in Space – With or Without Radical Biomedical Human Enhancement?", Stelios, S. and Theologou, K. (Ed.) The Ethics Gap in the Engineering of the Future, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 201-213. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-635-520241011