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Bryce Dyer talks about prosthetic advances for the BMA

2 April 2013

Bryce Dyer, senior lecturer in Product Design at BU, commented on the potential implications of human enhancement for an article on the BMA website.

A recent Royal Society report has explored how advances in science and technology could allow people to work longer into old age and return to work quicker after illness.

"Look at it in the same way as mobile phones," said Bryce.

"Ten years ago they were like bricks but they've become cheaper, easier to produce and more available over time. The same will happen with prosthesis."

He also raised concerns about with genetic engineering, which could correct faults in an embryo and enhance it physically or mentally.

"We could make someone super-intelligent but it could have catastrophic effects for society. The lines between natural and artificial and technological could blur.

"At the moment we let nature take its course, but as time goes on we can affect nature and attempt to control and manipulate it."

Bryce's primary research interest is with the application and development of technology within sport, and he predicts a dramatic improvement over the next 10 years, which could see it used to enhance function rather than just restore performance.

But, he adds, we must treat technology with care.

"It could become a race between engineers and surgeons instead of sports people. The concept of what it is to be human could change."

You can read the full article here.

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