As someone aspiring to be a tissue engineer, I am particularly fascinated by how biological and technological advancements will shape our health, longevity, and quality of life. In my lifetime, I believe human augmentation will advance significantly, blending biology and technology to redefine our potential. From medical enhancements like prosthetics and implants to cognitive and sensory upgrades, the trajectory of innovation suggests profound changes in how we interact with the world and ourselves.
The future holds exciting possibilities in both bioengineering and technology. Tissue engineering, for instance, could lead to creating custom organs grown from a patient鈥檚 cells, minimizing the risk of rejection and ending reliance on donor shortages. This is a field that I am particularly interested in making an impact in. Beyond medical needs, advancements in biomaterials might allow the development of muscle-enhancing or bone-strengthening augmentations. Neural interfaces, like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), could expand cognitive abilities, improving memory, creativity, or problem-solving skills. Sensory enhancements might allow us to perceive wavelengths of light or sound beyond the human spectrum, fundamentally changing how we experience the world.
I would embrace augmentations aligned with health, productivity, and enhancing human experience. As a tissue engineer, the ability to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs using bioengineered solutions would be incredibly fulfilling. This could aid in treating patients suffering from the long-lasting effects of substance abuse as well as complications from cancer treatments. For myself, I鈥檇 consider integrating augmentations that improve bone and muscle strength/recovery as I, sadly, tend to have bad joints. Of course, there are enhancements in this field that I do not believe should be explored.
Ethically, I believe certain boundaries must be upheld. Modifications that compromise individuality or autonomy, such as permanent BCIs controlled by corporations or governments, are unacceptable. Genetic enhancements solely for aesthetic or superficial traits raise concerns about societal pressure, inequality, and the loss of diversity. This can create a heirarchy that beniefits the rich and demeans or disenfranchises those who cannot afford this. A great example of this would be in the movie Gattaca (for those who don’t know this movie here is the trailer). Ultimately, augmentations that are irreversible, unsafe, or exclude large portions of society due to cost or access disparities would exacerbate existing inequalities, which is contrary to the inclusive goals of medicine and technology.
From the perspective of a future tissue engineer, the implications of augmentation also carry responsibility. The technology we develop must prioritize improving lives while respecting ethical principles. Tissue-engineered solutions, for example, should focus on restoring health and function rather than creating an unnecessary hierarchy of abilities.
Human augmentation holds incredible promise, but it must be guided by ethical considerations to ensure inclusivity and fairness. As someone entering the field of bioengineering, I see a future where science empowers us to overcome diseases, disabilities, and even natural limitations without compromising our humanity. By focusing on augmentations that enhance life in meaningful, equitable ways, we can ensure this evolution remains a force for good. To learn more about the ethics of tissue engineering, take a look at this paper published by The Journal of Applied Tissue Engineering.