Manufacturing Humans

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Matthew Puffer

College

Christ College

Discipline(s)

Engineering, Ethics, Bioengineering, Politics, Humanities

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-25-2024

Abstract

The human race–having discovered ways to alter their genes with CRISPr techniques, engineer artificial wombs, and deploy other means to alter the human genome–experiences exponential growth in its venture to change our ways of living. Humans continuously seek to replace nature, or God, by exercising their intellect, seldom reflecting on the implications and consequences of doing so. In Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World, babies are grown in batches, manufactured with a pre-determined purpose. Huxley’s science fiction serves the plot of A Brave New World, driving and flavoring its overarching technocracy of subduing a population through pleasure. With biotechnologies on the rise, Huxley’s fiction becomes increasingly plausible. The precursors of manufacturing humans are here today. CRISPr-CAS9, artificial wombs, and even media manipulation enable human ambitions to control nature itself, and act as the governance of life. Urgently, humans must consider the means and ethics of manufacturing humans. With improving technologies, the manufactured human could be nearly within humanity's grasp, along with its downfall. A genetic “tragedy of the commons,” as outlined by Garret Hardin in 1968, awaits a human race where effective, safe, and widely available gene editing creates a massive human monoculture that is prone to being wiped out by a single cause.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Anthony - Anthony Cosenza is a Senior Mechanical Engineer graduating in December of 2024. He is President of the Kappa Sigma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a member of Hooked on Tonics, Gospel Choir, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega, the Web Director of WVUR, and a Building Manager at the Harre Union. This fall semester, Anthony joined Toyota North America as a Production Engineering Co-Op, and is returning this summer as a Body Design intern!

Demetria M. Zoldak - Demetria Zoldak is a Senior Mechanical Engineering student graduating May of 2024. From Yorkvill IL, she is the senior project manager for robotic football, a member of SWE and an inductee of the Order of Engineers a Hesse Scholar and a teachers aid for the Mechanical Engineering Department. Post graduation, Demetria shall be employed with Eli Lilly and Company working on the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

Allison - Allison Schmidt is a Senior Biomechanical Engineering student graduating in May of 2024, from Sawyer, MI. She is the captain of Valparaiso University’s dance team, a member of Gamma Phi Beta, a Christ College student, and a teaching assistant for the Biotechnology laboratory, all while working at the mail center on campus. She recently received the Robert D Palumbo award for her involvement in undergraduate research in Biomechanics and the arts.

Ethan Storer - Ethan Storer is a Senior Mechanical Engineering major and Computer Science Minor graduating in May 2024. Growing up in St. Louis, MO, Ethan discovered his passion for engineering and what Valpo had to offer. Ethan Storer has interned at Ardagh Metal Packaging and Eli Lilly and Company, led the Robot Football team as project manager, conducted research for multiple professors, created custom lab equipment for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic, and always makes sure to set aside time every Sunday to play Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.

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