The promise and perils of advances in technology, science, and medicine have long been fertile fodder for creative works in literature and cinema. Consequently, a variety of resources exist exploring the realm of medical humanities as well as those providing in-depth analysis of a given cultural medium or particular artifact. This column seeks to offer a more expansive listing of contemporary expressions of bioethical issues in the popular media (fiction, film, and television)—with minimal commentary—to encompass a wider spectrum of popular culture. It will be of value to educators and others for conversations in the classroom, over a cup of coffee, at a book club, or around the dinner table. Readers are cautioned that these resources represent a wide spectrum of genres and content, and may not be appropriate for all audiences. For more comprehensive databases of the various cultural media, please visit our website at cbhd.org/resources/reviews. If you have a suggestion for us to include in the future, send us a note at msleasman@cbhd.org.
(CreateSpace, 2016).
Cognitive Enhancement, Designer Baby, Genetic Engineering, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics.
(Tor Science Fiction, 2013).
Human Enhancement, Nanotechnology, Radical Life Extension, Regenerative Medicine.
(Doubleday, 2017).
Artificial Intelligence, Personhood, Transhumanism/Posthumanism.
(Broadway Books, 2012).
Emerging Technology, Neuroethics, Technology & Society, Virtual Reality.
Artificial Intelligences, Cognitive Upload, Cyborgs, Neuroethics, Radical Life Extension, Transhumanism/Posthumanism, Virtual Reality.
Neuroethics, Radical Life Extension.
(Little, Brown and Company, 2017).
Artificial Intelligence, Personhood, Robotics.
(Ace, 2010).
Human Enhancement, Transhumanism/Posthumanism.
(Ace, 2009).
Artificial Intelligence, Cloning, Neuroethics, Posthumanism/Transhumanism, Radical Life Extension.
Artificial Intelligence, Cyborgs, Cognitive Upload, Human Enhancement, Nanotechnology, Neuroethics, Personhood, Radical Life Extension, Transhumanism/Posthumanism.
Dystopian future vision of emerging technologies run amok, complete with nanotech zombie epidemics, cognitive uploading, and a religion espousing digital immortality. The series follows Avery Cates as he transitions from run-of-the-mill killer-for-hire to international assassin to washed-up criminal embroiled in a battle for the future and survival of humanity.
(Disney-Hyperion, 2005).
Human Enhancement, Cognitive Enhancement, Neuroethics.
Jeremy is your classic high school student struggling with self-esteem. Enter Rich, someone who until the not so distant past was just like Jeremy, but now is the epitome of cool. The secret to Rich’s transformation is a black market pill (“squip”) that he promises will solve all of Jeremy’s problems by means of a little brain boosting.
(2016, PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements, and some partial nudity).
Designer Babies, Disaster Ethics, Emerging Technology, Eugenics, Genetic Engineering, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Research Ethics.
(2017, PG-13 for a sexual situation, brief strong language and some thematic elements including drug use).
Privacy, Technology & Society.
(2015, PG-13 for thematic content, sensuality, partial nudity and disturbing images).
Eugenics, Genetic Engineering, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Reproductive Ethics
(2015, PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language).
Neuroethics, Research Ethics.
(2015, PG-13 for some violence, sequences of sci-fi action, some suggestive content and partial nudity).
Genetics, Radical Life Extension, Regenerative Medicine.
Primetime Bioethics
(2016, Season 4).
Artificial Intelligence, Cyborg, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Personhood, Radical Life Extension, Transhumanism/Posthumanism, Virtual Reality.
(2014).
Consent, Eugenics, Population Control, Research Ethics.
(2013-present).
Bioterrorism, Cryogenics, Disaster Ethics, Organ Trafficking, Radical Life Extension, Surrogacy.
(2015-present).
Artificial Intelligence, Genetic Engineering, Human Enhancement, Nanotechnology, Personhood, Robotics.
(2016-present).
Human Enhancement, Research Ethics, Transhumanism.
(2016, Season 4).
Designer Babies, Genetic Engineering, Human Cloning, Human Enhancement, Regenerative Medicine, Research Ethics.
