We are Transhumanists. This means not only advocating the well being of humans, it means also anticipating the many changes that we will collectively undergo in the future. It means advocating for science, understanding, and clever new technology. It also means not making special exceptions for human suffering, death, and cognitive shortcomings and pretending to like them just because they are 'natural'. The desire to overcome these problems is completely natural for humans, even if the only plausible means for doing are artificial and technological.
Humanity has transcended the natural ever since the development of tools and fire. We have continued that trend through writing, agriculture, and the wheel. We even followed that up with literacy, science, and industry. We can and will take this much further, through computers, biotechnology, chemistry, nanotechnology, and many other transformative technologies. In light of this, we make the following declarations:
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The future is coming. Technology is becoming radically advanced, within the limits of physical law, thanks to the successful and unimpeded efforts of researchers and innovators. As it continues to mature, humanity will be deeply affected. The upcoming changes are likely to be mostly positive and serve the interests of most humans: Human lives will be dramatically extended; human minds will become sharper and wiser; the tremendous suffering now experienced daily by humans and nonhumans alike will be reduced, perhaps completely abolished; the vast, untapped, and currently sterile resources of outer space will be used to support abundant life and sentience. We will also understand the universe much better, even as we come to inhabit it more fully.
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The human race as we know it today has many shortcomings and frailties at the individual level which no physical law requires us to keep. Technology that circumvents such limitations is coming soon (and in many forms has already become a part of us). Depending largely on how the technology is distributed and used, it is likely to make most humans happier, freer, and ultimately living more worthwhile existences. We must work to make sure access to transformative technology is as open, free, and safe as possible for all of humankind.
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Change can be dangerous. The very same technology that enhances us and eliminates our suffering can be used to degrade us and increase our suffering if abused. Greater technology grants us the possibility of colonizing new worlds, but also the risk of being completely destroyed. We must remain vigilant against not only the most drastic threats, but also the subtle dystopian scenarios. We must not tolerate unethical monopolies on this new technology, nor permit foolish individuals to be put in charge of its implementation.
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We need better ways to understand the good and the bad about technology, in order to fight its risks and win its prizes. Research can help with the factual part of this, but a social component is needed to put that knowledge to use more widely and effectively. Towards this end, we will strive to bring out the best in humans who participate in our forums; we believe the ideal way to do this is to cultivate an attitude of honest respect for each other and develop the ability to communicate productively. Good communication and thoughtful argument is what will help us get the most out of the technology and change that the future will bring.
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We support all forms of basic science. Any empirical study that enhances our understanding of the universe should be funded not only to fuel progress but to satisfy our curiosity. Nonetheless we advocate, because of their extremely high expected value, that the following priorities be kept in mind when allocating scarce funding and talent in the near future: Reducing existential risks; finding the means to extend healthy human lifespan -- including incremental improvements to cryonics, as well as regenerative medicine directly targeting the aging process; alleviating other sources of grave suffering and death around the world; increasing human abilities in, and tendencies towards, foresight, wisdom, and compassion.
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Policy is the structure which guides the growth of an organization over time; the future will be determined not just by technology but partly by policy. Good policies can be designed, provided there is inclusive moral vision and a sense of responsibility in their development. This includes those of governments and corporations, but is equally important for smaller and less formal groups who must organize in order to accomplish things of value. We recommend the following: Take seriously both the opportunities and the risks of technology and change; respect autonomy and individual rights; express solidarity with, and genuine concern for, the interests and dignity of all people around the world. Consider your responsibility to the people of the future in every action, because what you do today will remain part of history forever.
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All sentient beings, human or not, deserve consideration be taken for their well-being. This is a matter of simple decency. It applies to humans, non-human animals, and also to any technologically based or alternatively evolved beings of a sentient nature who may come to exist in the future. While wisdom and compassion dictate that care should be taken to ensure that potential new beings will not directly or severely threaten the interests of existing beings, the harm-free interests of new kinds of beings should not be discriminated against unfairly.
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Individuals should have a wide selection of personal lifestyle options, including their choice of technological enhancements. Some may choose to incrementally enhance or optimize their biology, perhaps making them more intelligent, compassionate, and/or longer-lived, but essentially close to the human norms we are familiar with. Others may choose to merge more closely with non-biological machines, including use of a different substrate to implement their very minds. As long as enhancements do not pose undue danger to neighbouring sentients, they should generally be permitted, and should even be encouraged when seen as likely to reduce long-term risk or alleviate suffering. Some important options that we want to preserve for individuals in the near future include: Optimized cryopreservation of legally living and recently deceased individuals; reproductive choice technologies, including not only contraception and reproductive assistance but also genetic manipulation or screening of potential offspring; regenerative medicine therapies that target ageing directly in the elderly and/or prevent ageing in younger adults; enhancements of brain function, such as increased working memory, intelligence, and wisdom via brain-computer interfaces.
Together with these declarations, we express our measured optimism about technology, the future, and our capacity as humans to adapt to change. We also commit ourselves to benevolent, intelligent, and deeply considered action. Time will change us. Let us make sure that the transformation is as wonderful for everyone as is humanly, and even transhumanly, possible.
The above document was written by Luke Parrish in February, 2013, and is an embellished paraphrase of the Transhumanist Declaration, originally crafted in 1998 by an international group of authors: Doug Baily, Anders Sandberg, Gustavo Alves, Max More, Holger Wagner, Natasha Vita-More, Eugene Leitl, Bernie Staring, David Pearce, Bill Fantegrossi, den Otter, Ralf Fletcher, Kathryn Aegis, Tom Morrow, Alexander Chislenko, Lee Daniel Crocker, Darren Reynolds, Keith Elis, Thom Quinn, Mikhail Sverdlov, Arjen Kamphuis, Shane Spaulding, and Nick Bostrom. The Transhumanist Declaration has been modified over the years by several authors and organizations.