Transhumanism is a movement that holds that people should use science and technology, such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, to overcome ageing and to enhance human abilities. The word was used by Julian Huxley in the 1950s, but the movement took shape in the 1980s and 1990s. The philosopher and futurist FM-2030 popularised the ideas, and groups such as the Extropy Institute and the World Transhumanist Association, co-founded by Nick Bostrom and David Pearce, organised supporters. Critics such as Francis Fukuyama have warned of inequality and threats to human dignity, and its aims remain the subject of lively debate in bioethics.
Before and after
- 1980Establishment of Lake Malawi National Park
- c. 1980sDigital Revolution
- 1980Creation of Ada
- 1980Publication of The Name of the Rose
- 1980Rise of transhumanism
- 1980Founding of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
- 1980Establishment of Channel Islands National Park
- from January 1980 to April 1991Siege of Khost
- 1980Establishment of Jaú National Park
More in Society, economy & sport
- 1945Founding of International Court of Justice
- 27 December 1945Founding of World Bank
- 14 September 1960Founding of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- 8 December 1991Founding of Commonwealth of Independent States
- 1 January 1995Founding of World Trade Organization
- 4 February 2004Founding of Facebook
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.