Transhumanisme : de nouveaux droits ?

The work that led to this book grew out of a project entitled “Thinking about transhumanism” of the French National Commission for UNESCO, the United Nations organisation responsible for promoting reflection to respond to the ethical challenges of science and technology. While the development of science and technology contributes to the quality of life of human beings and their adaptation to the environment, it raises questions when it is directed towards transhumanism, defined as the improvement of human capacities through the use of science and technology integrated into the body. Beyond the cross-cutting issues raised by the consequences of this use, transhumanism raises the fundamental question of the very nature of the human being and of humanity. The law therefore has a key role in framing and regulating transhumanism so that the shared values that are dear to the human race are respected. It can facilitate or hinder the development of transhumanism, but in any case, it limits both social transformation and human's self-control. Does transhumanism challenge existing legal frameworks? How do the latter allow or prevent the development of transhumanist technologies? How could or should they evolve to provide a current and future framework that respects the choices and values on which human society is based? Thus, does transhumanism imply new rights, or should it? This interdisciplinary book looks to the future by inviting the human sciences to tackle this issue and to debate it with young citizens. It brings together original and complementary contributions, reflecting current debates, with a view to providing constructive thought for future generations. Les travaux ayant mené à l’élaboration de cet ouvrage sont nés du projet intitulé « Penser le transhumanisme » au sein de la Commission nationale française pour l’UNESCO, chargée de porter une réflexion pour répondre aux défis éthiques de la science et de la technologie. Si le développement des sciences et des techniques participe à la qualité de vie des êtres humains et à leur adaptation à l’environnement, il interroge lorsqu’il vise le transhumanisme, défini comme l’amélioration des capacités humaines par l’utilisation des sciences et des techniques intégrées au corps. Au-delà des enjeux transversaux posés par les conséquences de cette utilisation, c’est la question fondamentale de la nature même de l’être humain et de l’humanité que soulève le transhumanisme. Le droit a alors le rôle de l’encadrer,