“Improving” the human organism is a permanent issue for regulatory systems and institutions in religion, public administration, philosophy and cultural studies. The desire for physiological and biotechnological improvements has recently increased in line with new achievements in life sciences and neurophysiology. Providers, clients and the entire market for promised improvements at molecular biology level tend to disregard the cultural dimension of life as a design phenomenon that literally takes a lifetime to evolve. Instead, it is implied or sometimes even asserted that improvement(s) can be achieved by a single medical or surgical intervention.

This year’s Vienna Lecture at Alpbach focuses on discussing physiological and molecular biology interventions aimed at “optimising humans” with a view to current reality, possible prospects and consequences.

Speakers