Stanford University

William Hurlbut, M.D. is a consulting professor in the Program in Human Biology at Stanford University. In January 2002, Dr. Hurlbut was appointed to the President’s Council on Bioethics. His main areas of interest involve the ethical issues associated with advancing technology and neuroscience and the integration of the philosophy of biology with Christian theology. Dr. Hurlbut has co-taught integrative courses at Stanford with Luca Cavelli-Sforza, director of the Human Genome Diversity Project, and Nobel Prize winner Baruch Blumberg. Dr. Hurlbut also works with the Center for Security and International Cooperation on a project formulating policy on Chemical and Biological Warfare and with NASA on projects in Astrobiology.

Technological intervention for purposes beyond healing challenges our traditional concepts of nature and human nature.  Yet, even without assumptions of a benevolent creator and and an implicit image of natural health, a purely scientific analysis may raise troubling concerns about proposals for the biological improvement of human life.  In this presentation I will discuss the social ideals that guide our current understanding of human agency in projects for our own perfection.  We will explore the relationship between means and ends, specialization and overall balance, and the personal meaning of imperfection, struggle and suffering. Within this frame human enhancement will be recognized as posing a grave danger when empowered by selfish ambitions and appetites, or a noble sacrifice when in the service of serious human purposes.  This recognition of what is at stake on a biological, social and personal level may guide us in the wise use of our emerging powers.