Issue Social acceptability of biotechnology

Summary

As technology keeps opening new possibilities, innovation both depends on and shapes what society is willing to accept, so the survey argues that social consensus on the direction of change is needed to sustain innovation. Rapid convergence of biotechnology, neuroscience, AI and nanotechnology is redefining human limits and even human phenotypes before and after birth. AI-assisted interpretation of the genetic factors behind human traits demands shared views on the relationship between technology and humans, research ethics and society's tolerance for disruption. Genome editing raises the question of how far modification of the human genome for preferred traits should be allowed, while opaque disclosure by some brain-computer interface companies has drawn criticism. Human cloning and memory transfer pose dilemmas over identity, autonomy and legal rights, and human enhancement could deepen access gaps between classes, generational conflict and ethical dispute.