Bioengagement - Summer 2016

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.

BioFiction

Isaac Asimov, The Currents of Space

(Reprint edition, Tor Books, 2010).

Memory & Identity, Psychosurgery, Neuroethics.

Isaac Asimov, The Robot Series

• The Naked Sun (Spectra Books, 1991).
• The Robots of Dawn (Spectra, 1994).

Artificial Intelligence, Ectogenesis, Emerging Technologies, Human Enhancement, Human-Machine Interaction, Personhood, Reproductive Technology Ethics, Robotics, Robot Ethics.

James Dashner, The Maze Runner Series

• The Maze Runner (Reprint edition, Delacort Press, 2010).
• The Scorch Trials (Reprint edition, Delacort Press, 2011).
• The Death Cure (Delacort Press, 2013).
• The Kill Order (Reprint edition, Delacort Press, 2014).

Biotechnology, Bioterrorism, Disaster Ethics, Neuroethics, Public Health, Research Ethics.

Mary Pearson, The Jenna Fox Chronicles

• Fox Inheritance (Reprint edition, Square Fish, 2013).
• Fox Forever (Reprint edition, Square Fish, 2014).

Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Cognitive Uploading, Human-Animal Hybrids, Neuroethics, Personhood, Radical Life Extension, Robotics.

Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill

(Disney-Hyperion, 2005).

Human Enhancement, Cognitive Enhancement, Neuroethics.

Jeremy Heere is your classic high school student struggling with self-esteem. Enter Rich, someone who used to be just like Jeremy, but is now the epitome of cool. The secret to his transformation is a black market pill (“squip”) that he promises Jeremy will solve all of his problems by means of a little brain boosting.

Bioethics at the Box Office

Allegiant

(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.

Insurgent

(2015, PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language).

Neuroethics, Research Ethics

Jupiter Ascending

(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

Agents of Shield

(2013-present).

Genetic Engineering, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Research Ethics, Transhumanism.

Between

(2015-present).

Bioterrorism, Disaster Ethics, Research Ethics.

Humans

(2015-present).

Artificial Intelligence, Human-Machine Interactions, Personhood, Robot Ethics.

Limitless

(2015-present).

Cognitive Enhancement, Emerging Technology, Genetic Ethics, Human Enhancement, Neuroethics, Research Ethics, Transhumanism.

Nikita

(Season 3 & 4, 2012-2013).

Biotechnology, Bioterrorism, Nanotechnology, Neuroethics, Research Ethics

Person of Interest

(2011-present).

Artificial Intelligence, Human-Machine Interactions, Personhood, Privacy.