The Future of Human Enhancement 2014

January 23, 2014

Panelists:

Andrew Hessel

Andrew Hessel is a futurist and catalyst in biological technologies, helping industry, academics, and authorities better understand the changes ahead in life science.  He is a Distinguished Researcher with Autodesk’s Bio/Nano Programmable Matter group, based out of San Francisco.  He is also the co-founder of the Pink Army Cooperative, the world’s first cooperative biotechnology company, which is aiming to make open source viral therapies for cancer.

Natasha Vita-More

Dr. Natasha Vita-More is a Human Enhancement trailblazer and a specialist in the science and technology of emerging technologies of human enhancement. She is the designer of “Platform Diverse Body” and “Substrate Autonomous Persons”, and the video Body by Design. She is co-editor and contributing author of The Transhumanist Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and Philosophy of the Future Human and her writings have been published in more than two dozen books and academic journals.

Natasha has been called “an early adapter of revolutionary changes” (Wired) and a “role model for superlongevity” (Village Voice) has been featured in numerous televised documentaries. She received Special Recognition at Women in Video and has exhibited at the London Contemporary Art Museum, Niet Normal, and the Moscow Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Moscow Film Festival. Currently Faculty at the University of Advancing Technology, Fellow at the Institute of Ethics & Emerging Technologies, Fellow of Hybrid Reality Institute, and  founder of H+ [Bio] Lab.

Dr. Seth “Adventure”

The New Flesh Workshop exists to bridge the gaps between Art, Medicine, Life and Technology. The NFW aids in allowing amputees to feel more connected to their prosthetic devices by making them into functional works of Art.

Dr. Adventure has been studying Biotechnology since age 9. After attending school for biomedical engineering and having hands on training in prosthetics fabrication he opened the New Flesh Workshop.

Check out his inventions at: The New Flesh Workshop (adapted from Maker Faire DIY SuperHumans).

Lucas Dimoveo

Lucas Dimoveo is a technologist, open source advocate, and co-founder of Grindhouse Wetware and Grindware Circadia LLC. During his work with Grindhouse he has collaborated with a number of engineers, designers and body modification artists to create novel implants that enhance human capabilities.

Olivia Webb

Olivia is Project Manager,  Cybernetics and Biology division,  head of safety testing, Grindhouse WetwareShe has her bachelor’s degree in biology from Edinboro University and has been involved with Grindhouse for the past year and a half. During her time at Grindhouse, she has been involved in multiple Grindhouse projects including biosafety and Circadia.

Check out their projects at Grindhouse Wetware.

Key objectives of panel:

  • Raise awareness of key applications/implications of body modification and human enhancement from various perspectives: Transhumanism, synthetic biology, wearable tech and grinder movements (body modification/tech implants)
  • Discuss key controversies and attendant biosecurity and bioethical issues inherent in these approaches.

Topics explored will include:

  • Raise awareness of the promise of synthetic biology/ bioprinting while addressing key areas of controversy
  • Provide perspective on trans-humanism and its implications for human performance and health
  • How wearable tech can enhance human performance: medical and non-medical application
  • Explore body modification/ grinder activity in context of broader DIY Life Science movements
  • Discuss biosecurity and bioethical implications of bioprinting, implantable tech and transhumanism

Structure:

Four panelists. The event will be filmed for a biohacker documentary so please inform us if you would like not to be filmed.