Biotech Pioneers
How (bio)technolgy is reshaping views of humans as a species and the natural world
In 2007, I defended my thesis Biotech Pioneers, a philosophical exploration of genetically engineered mice. Through my PhD research on the central figure of the biotech revolution—the genetically modified mouse—I examined how modern biotechnology is reshaping our understanding of ourselves as a species and our relationship with the natural world.
That question continues to fascinate me. Could DNA technology eventually lead to the creation of “perfect” people? While that sounds like science fiction, the deeper question captivates me: what defines a perfect person? And why does the idea unsettle us?
In discussions, I often hear the argument that we “shouldn’t play God.” But why not? What exactly do we mean by that? And how does religion intersect with modern science?
Technologies like cloning horses, genetically modifying embryos, cyborgs, robots, and AI challenge our views on life, nature, and humanity. As a philosopher, these are the kinds of questions I enjoy pondering and discussing.
The Modular Body Talkshow: the Necessity of blood
He is a little blood sucker!
Lecture: Artificial Stupidity?
Why do fictional AI machines dream about being human? Or, why do we think they do? And why do men fall in love with their female robots?
Essay: Beyond Nature
To the degree that natural means anything, it means very little ethically. Conversely, to the degree that it is understood as a normative concept, it has little to do with biology.
Essay Trust me I am an Artist: It Takes Guts and Trust
I think the most important lesson to be learned is that members of bioethics committees are normal human beings. By this I mean to say that they show typical human behavior when confronted with something they do not fully understand.
Chapter one: The birth of the transgenic laboratory mouse
The transgenic mouse is a living artefact.
Chapter two: Mouse ethics, the taming of a monster
The term ‘nature’ is used in contrast to notions such as ‘culture’ and ‘technology’ that put humans in opposition to nature. ‘Natural’ is also used to indicate a moral quality. ‘Natural’ is usually regarded as better than ‘artificial’ (for instance in traditional aesthetics) or even ‘perverse’ (for instance, in traditional sexual morality).
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