The New Zealand Bioethics Conference: Wellbeing and Technology last weekend was nice and stimulating. Some good plenary sessions, entertaining (and somewhat disturbing) public lectures, a wide variety of papers, and interesting people. These included:
- A really interesting talk from Brad Partridge, PhD student from the University of Queensland, who’s looking at public perceptions of life extension technologies, including responses from transhumanist and conservative Christian groups. Related links at: Who wants to live forever? Community attitudes to life extension – UQ News Online – The University of Queensland and Eternal life ‘not so appealing’ | NEWS.com.au
- An interesting but really quite disturbing paper on people who want to reshape their bodies by intentional amputation of limbs (even to the state of paraplegia). Relevant in parts give this current discussion (Greenflame · Therapy or enhancement in sport?)
- A broader range of topics and issues being discussed than I anticipated – including a common theme of social justice running through many of the talks, but kicked off by the first plenary talk by Howard Brody
