The Ethics of Generating Posthumans: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Bringing New Persons into Existence

Should transhuman and posthuman persons ever be brought into existence? And if so, could they be generated in a good and loving way? This study explores how society may respond to the actual generation of new kinds of persons from ethical, philosophical, and theological perspectives. Contributors to this volume address a number of essential questions, including the ethical ramifications of generating new life, the relationships that generators may have with their creations, and how these creations may consider their generation. This collection's interdisciplinary approach traverses the philosophical writings of Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, alongside theological considerations from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. It invites academics, faith leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders to think through the ethical gamut of generating posthuman and transhuman persons.

Calum MacKellar is Director of Research with the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, Edinburgh, UK.

Trevor Stammers is former Associate Professor of Bioethics and Director of the Centre for Bioethics and Emerging Technologies at St Mary's University, UK. He previously worked as a clinician for over 30 years.