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Professor Linda Hogles lecture focused on the social, ethical and policy issues that surroundbiomedical devices. There are four types of concerns that describe the ethicality of any new technology;technical/medical, policy, social/cultural, and moral. The technical/medical category which includes riskand safety is often the first to be questioned. Policy issues include cost, political control, availability andthe benefit to society. Determination of the effects on social, work, and personal life as well astechnological imperative are some of the social/cultural concerns. Technological imperative refers to

an obligation to create useful, simple, cheap technology instead of superficial technology that doesntsignificantly improve the root of the problem and shows a poor cost to benefit ratio. Lastly, moralquestions drive the attempt to define what crosses the line, as defined by society or personal values.

Hogle presents a macroscopic view of superhuman bionics as more than just engineering adesign. The innovations must be considered within the network of existing state, legal, economic andmedical institutions. This interactive framework, what Hogle calls a sociotechnical network ofinstitutions, influences the decisions of the innovation. I enjoyed hearing the perspective of JennySolomon, the woman who lost her legs and arm. Its easy to overlook how the everyday things that we

take for granted become such an ordeal for her. I can try to imagine doing an activity missing limbs but Icant fathom an entire week let alone a lifetime without the use of a limb. On top of the physicalchallenge, the stigma would be difficult to deal with. Solomons grocery story in which the clerk assumeda mental deficit because of her disabilities was shocking. This is the first time Ive heard an actual price

range for a prosthetic. I knew they were very expensive but $60,000 for a C-leg is crazy. What goes onbehind the scenes for an amputee is much more complicated than I had initially thought. Having towork out the details with the surgeon in the case of scheduled amputation or bartering with insurancecompany to determine when to repair or replace a prosthetic are things that wouldnt occur to the averageperson when considering what amputees must deal with throughout their lives. Solomons case stories

just keep getting more staggering. Im boggled that she has to continually prove her disability and was

advised to not wear her legs and drop something to show that she cant pick it up. Its easy to see theinfluence the institutions hold over her life. I understood coming into this that these issues arent blackand white but even within the first 15 minutes of this talk Ive begun to really appreciate the complexity.

The talk shifts from assist devices to the use of enhancement technologies that go beyondrepairing or sustaining normal body function. A grey area comes from defining what is necessary andwhere the limit of restorative crosses into being an enhancement. She cites the example of cosmetic

surgery in the case of breast removal. In some states, insurance must pay for breast augmentation. Thereisnt a physical function of the breast but there can be psychological and social implications. In order tojudge enhancements you must look at the goals of medicine, fairness/competitiveness, and the question ofwhere limits should be and who sets them. Personally, I think there should be freedom to decide toenhance your body. However, in cases of competition I think enhancements must be evaluated in order todetermine if theyll be able to compete fairly against non-enhanced body parts. However, that createsanother limit to be determined.

Hogle then questions some of the technologies we studied earlier in the module. Superhumanstrength can be used for therapy or enhancement. The question is if sports enhancements like steroids andgene therapy, with such a negative connotation, are really that much different or worse than materialscience/biomechanics designs that have been used in equipment. I liked the debate about whether sportsand enhancements can coexist. I lean towards no but I think Im even more confused internally now

that I know more. Neural implants were the next topic and use of these devices as interventions forbehavioral seems very controversial. The concept of aggression intervention was thought provoking. Itseems like a lot of these kinds of devices could lead to a whole different level of abuse, like erasingsomeones memory. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine hype has grand visions of anti-aging,replaceable parts, natural remedies and an endless supply of rejuvenation.

That was a really interesting lecture. It delved into the sociological aspects and she presented bothsides of some great debates. Its the kind of talk that inspires you to really think. I had no idea that thetranshuman movement existed. I can understand their point of view that we should expand ourselves but Ido believe its important to preserve personal identity- it does seem a little dehumanizing. I agree that

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scientists need to advocate in the political realm. It would be really interesting to have a classinvestigating the references of superhuman bionics in pop culture throughout the times. Very cool lecture!