Bio-hacking: moving towards a ‘biologically fluid society’ ?

As seen in the video above, ‘bio-hacking’ is a movement in which people try to change their biology through  inserting technologies under skin, changing genetics and controlling diets (among other things) (BBC News, 2018). This has been a source of a lot of controversy, as many of these self-enhancement projects are unregulated and experimental. The general idea is that the biological human body is physically limited, ‘bio-hackers’ can extend the possibilities of the human body into infinite directions, for example acquiring a 6th sense (feeling a magnetic field), living to 150 (through dietary supplements) and even enhanced sexual activities (through inserting vibration device).

However controversial, human enhancements are in fact fairly common; for example aspirins, cochlear implants and pacemakers are accepted technologies, or the technologies listed in the video above. Why then, are bio-hackers portrayed as immoral, extravagant or ridiculous? Although not touched upon directly, last week’s blog post on exoskeletons for wheelchair users touched on ideas about normal human functions and who has access to such technologies. Anthpoet described how prosthetics, and I argue wheelchairs, make people ‘more’ and ‘less’ human through the use of their technology. On the other hand, bio-hackers attempt to take individual action to augment their bodies. Due to the nature of some procedures, such as injecting genetic materials and ‘chips’ they become implanted into the human body, whereas the prosthetics and wheelchair can be more easily separated from the person. Perhaps then, bodily enhancements, which try to replicate ‘natural’ human biology, such as prosthetics and which are easily separated from the body are more acceptable than enhancements which stray too far from a ‘natural’ body (unless used for war).

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In the video, Rich Lee, speaks of wanting a ‘biologically fluid society’, but what are the potential consequences of bio-hacking and implications for identity? Apart from the potential of damaging oneself’s through the experimental projects, the possible ramifications for such actions are currently unknown. Although I have not conducted extensive research myself, it appears not many identify as ‘cyborg’, but instead appreciate their agency and ability to mold their bodies into their desired potential. It will be interesting to keep up to date on bio-hackers and similar bio-technological enhancements to see what becomes normalized, and why.

References:

BBC News (2018). Meet the Biohackers – BBC News. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=NWvUs8el8-A [Accessed 22 Feb. 2019].

beyondhuman, V. (2019). Implications of Exoskeletons. [online] Jasmin R. Available at: https://morethanhuman.science.blog/2019/02/08/implications-of-exoskeletons/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2019].

Kavdp, Y. (2019). More or Less…. [online] The Poetic Anthropologist. Available at: https://anthpoet.wordpress.com/2019/02/10/more-or-less/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].

Pixabay (2019). Analysis Biology Liquid Science. [image] Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/analysis-biology-liquid-science-159753/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].