Beyond humanity: Theological and biotechnological perspectives on enhancement in dialogue

The central question in debates over whether to apply biotechnology to enhance human capacities beyond species norms is that of what it means to be human. A satisfactory answer requires knowledge from multiple disciplines, including not only biology and neuroscience, but also history, sociology, philosophy, and theology. Christian theology, in particular, has rich traditions of reflection on this question, the complexities of which are evident in the diverse perspectives on enhancement held by Christians today. These perspectives may be categorized and expounded according to Niebuhr's five motifs for how Christians throughout history have regarded and engaged culture.