From genetic engineering to implantable brain chips, from nanobots to artificial intelligence, we may be taking the next step in our own evolution. The convergence of Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology, and Cognitive neuroscience, promises the recipients of such advancements revolutionary betterment heretofore unknown to mankind and will challenge traditional notions of what it means be to be human or what it means to be a person.

Traditionally, the law has divided entities into a clear cut dichotomy: either persons or property. And, one would think that one had to be human to be a person—the difficulty arises, however, when one looks back at the history of the law and realizes that women, children, and slaves were once considered as mere property under the law. Yet non-human entities such as corporations, municipalities, and even ships were declared to be ‘persons’ under the law. But the law has begun to evolve to recognize categories that fall somewhere in between property and personhood, creating a continuum, rather than a dichotomy. There are three areas where traditional legal notions of personhood will be challenged: 1.) Human-machine mergers, 2.) intelligent transgenic or chimeric creatures, and 3) advances in fetal viability. A continuum approach can give a different tool with which to work and a different perspective than the traditional black-and –white personhood –property dichotomy offers. More importantly, it opens up discussions about our humanity and our humaneness, as well as our relationship and moral and legal obligations to other sentient beings, especially those of our own creation.

Women’s Bioethics Project

Linda MacDonald Glenn is a bioethicist, healthcare educator, lecturer, consultant and attorney. Her extensive experience and passion for the issues facing the legal, nursing, and healthcare professions make her a compelling and thought-provoking lecturer. Linda maintains an ongoing blog (http://www.womensbioethics.blogspot.com) as a Women’s Bioethics Project Scholar.