Search This Blog

Friday, 11 January 2013

Can science create perfect human being?


In the past hundred years, there have been significant developments in the field of medical science. There have been tremendous achievements like heart transplant (by Doctor Christian Bernard), cloning and genetic modification (For instance, use of growth hormone for preventing hereditary dwarfism). From methods to the equipment all aspects of medical sector have been revolutionized. Scientists are now working on unbelievable and unimaginable things like artificial blood, stem cell (cells which can generate specific body parts) and many more. But we still come across manifold forms of limitations which are related with our physical, mental and social conditions. Every time we move ahead new barriers come forth and we always remain imperfect. Thus it’s a challenge for science to create a perfect “Homo Sapiens”.
A perfect human being, according to different people, has compassion and kindness or goodness and decency or physical and mental fitness, unselfishness and piety also. Since the dawn of civilization, man has striven to perfect himself, emulating those who have achieved greatness. “Cultures across the globe have written vast amounts of amazing literature containing guidelines to enlightenment and perfection. (K. Snow, n.d.) But with so many guidelines out there, how do we know for sure which ones are the most important to follow? Scientists may think that perfect human is the most genius person. A child may imagine a person like his favorite superhero. A religious man may think of Lord Buddha or Jesus. Thus, it is not possible to create such a personality who is conceptually different for all people. A perfect person for one can be imperfect for the rest.
Even if people agree on a point and set a universal standard for making the perfect human being, he would not be perfect. Something that is made artificially cannot be perfect in itself because we, its creator, are not perfect. He will have some flaws which will be unidentified and will only be seen when he goes through the real life.  Nature itself makes us evolve into a better race. Each generation comes becoming more developed than its predecessors. If we try to be quicker than the natural process surely nature will limit us i.e. the one who is better than anyone ever imagined may not adapt with people who commit mistakes and who cannot adapt with society cannot be taken as the ideal personality.
Similarly, the branches of science related with improvement in performance and ability of living beings have always come up with new discoveries and with them, new side effects. Genetic engineering used to improve yield of food crops has made many people victims to the newly discovered food allergy. Chemicals (like calcium carbide) can be used to ripen fruits earlier but its consumption can lead to catastrophic results like Cancer. In such a condition, we cannot be certain that the perfect human created by science will actually be perfect. In the same way, something that is flawless for the time being may not be in future. Every time we become immune to something we become vulnerable to some new outbreak. Each time we improve something in us there is another drawback ready to hinder us. So, we can never think of being or making something perfect.
Even if we develop ourselves to a large extent there is always place for improvement. All the explorations were possible due to humans’ desire for more, greater for reaching perfection. Both nature and science have helped us to do so. But on the whole, we always desire for more which never allows us to be perfect.
References:
Snow, K. (n.d.), What Makes an Ideal Human Being?, Accessed: January 12, 2013, Retrieved from:  http://www.trvnews.com/tmn/022205/idealhuman.html
Blockk, A. (n.d.), What does anyone think the perfect human is? What are the traits that underlie this concept?, Accessed: January 12, 2013, Retrieved from: http://antoniusblockk.hubpages.com/hub/What-is-the-Perfect-Human

 © Dixit Bhatta 2013

No comments:

Post a Comment

Translate