LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fears associated with human enhancement technologies: void or justified?

Madam, the emergence of human enhancement technologies has taken the world with stride. Human enhancement technologies are techniques that can be used not only for treating illness but also for enhancing human characteristics and capacities. Previously, therapy was the key of medicine. Now however, instead of simple restoration, we can enhance normal function and instigate new capacities that humans have never had before. In spite of tremendous potential benefits, these technologies which include biotechnology, nanotechnology and cognitive sciences, have faced heavy criticism and are looked upon with daunting fears.