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.
(Nan A. Talese, 2015).
Autonomy, Free Will, Human-Robot Interactions, Neuroethics, Organ Trafficking, Robot Ethics.
(Berkley, 2015).
Nanotechnology, Robotics, Telepresence, 3D Printing.
(Houghton Mifflin, 2000).
Infanticide, Disability.
(Houghton Mifflin, 2012).
Surrogacy
Euthanasia, Research Ethics.
Several centuries after nuclear war has ravaged the planet, the human race is surviving on an aging orbital colony. With resources scarce, the governing council decides to send a group of100 teenage criminals to Earth to investigate whether radiation has dissipated enough for the earth to again be habitable. The 100 work to rebuild some semblance of society in a radically new environment, meanwhile several of their leaders struggle to come to grips with their past. After a series of mysterious murders, the 100 come to the startling realization that they are not the only survivors on the planet.
(Disney-Hyperion, 2005).
Human Enhancement, Cognitive Enhancement, Neuroethics.
Jeremy Heere is a classic high school student struggling with self-esteem and the quest for being cool. Enter Rich, someone who used to be like Jeremy, but is now the epitome of cool. Rich offers Jeremy a black market pill (“squip”) that he promises will solve all of his problems by means of a little brain boosting.
(2015, R for graphic nudity, language, sexual references and some violence).
AI, Personhood, Robot Ethics.
(2014, R for strong violence, disturbing images, and sexuality).
Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Transhumanism/Posthumanism.
(2015, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language).
AI, Personhood, Robotics.
(2015, PG-13 for a suggestive comment)
Life Extension.
(2015, PG-13 for sequences of violence, some sexuality, and language).
Life Extension Research, Neuroethics, Transhumanism.
Primetime Bioethics
(Season 3 & 4, 2012-2013).
Biotechnology, Bioterrorism, Nanotechnology, Neuroethics, Research Ethics
(2011-present).
Artificial Intelligence, Privacy.
