The Perfect Human Being
What if you could create the perfect baby in a lab? Thanks to the wonders of modern science, this far-fetched concept could soon become a reality. The ability to manipulate the natural processes of nature to chart a new course for human evolution may well be within our reach. Exploring and insightful, The Perfect Human Being, an ambitious new documentary series produced by Dutch public broadcaster VPRO, explores the full potential of these scientific possibilities and examines the moral and ethical considerations involved.
The series is hosted by author and interviewer Bas Heijne and offers insights from a respected panel of renowned scientists, philosophers, and technology innovators. Each of these experts offers a unique insight into the possible future of our species.
In one episode, biomedical gerontologist Aubrey Gray describes aging as a disease that affects us all. In his view, medicine should strive to reverse the effects of aging, like any condition that ultimately leads to death.
Another episode takes us to a fertility clinic in Turkey, where the law allows couples to choose between different embryos to determine the sex of their child. This freedom of choice for would-be parents has implications far beyond determining the sex of a child. As philosopher and biochemist Julian Savulesco explains in his section on human enhancement, it may one day be possible to carefully create “designer babies” of our own, by genetically modifying embryos to match our exact specifications, including achieving physical personality Traits and specific skills and talents.
The implications of these practices are far-reaching and complex. At what point does our scientific curiosity pose a threat to the sanctity of the natural order, and do we, as a species, have a responsibility to transcend those boundaries? To their credit, perfect humans tackled these challenges, but provided no easy or definitive answers. Finally, the series explores what it really means to be human, and the role we can or should play in reshaping that definition in the years to come.
