Редактирование: Criticism of transhumanism (раздел)

== The view that transhumanism would shatter the core equality of existing humans ==
''Main: [[Oligarchic transhumanism]]''

Some critics point out that, if the transhumanist initiative succeeds, a significant divergence may emerge between enhanced and unenhanced humans.<ref>[https://philosophy.as.uky.edu/sites/default/files/Transhumanism%20-%20Francis%20Fukuyama.pdf Transhumanism]</ref><ref>[https://ep.liu.se/ecp/074/001/ecp11074001.pdf Enhancement for All? A Feminist Ethical Analysis of the Discourses and Practices of Democratic Transhumanism]</ref> This divergence will have profound implications.

For example, [http://foreignpolicy.com/2009/10/23/transhumanism/ Francis Fukuyama, 2009] states this fundamental objection to transhumanism:

<blockquote>
The first victim of transhumanism [[oligarchic transhumanism|might be equality]]. The U.S. Declaration of Independence says that "all men are created equal," and the most serious political fights in the history of the United States have been over who qualifies as fully human. Women and blacks did not make the cut in 1776 when Thomas Jefferson penned the declaration. Slowly and painfully, advanced societies have realized that simply being human entitles a person to political and legal equality. In effect, we have drawn a red line around the human being and said that it is sacrosanct.

Underlying this idea of the equality of rights is the belief that we all possess a human essence that dwarfs manifest differences in skin color, beauty, and even intelligence. This essence, and the view that individuals therefore have inherent value, is at the heart of political liberalism. But modifying that essence is the core of the transhumanist project. If we start transforming ourselves into something superior, what rights will these enhanced creatures claim, and what rights will they possess when compared to those left behind? If some move ahead, can anyone afford not to follow? These questions are troubling enough within rich, developed societies. Add in the implications for citizens of the world’s poorest countries — for whom biotechnology’s marvels likely will be out of reach — and the threat to the idea of equality becomes even more menacing.
</blockquote>

The greater the degree of enhancement that is adopted by some humans, the bigger the differential in capability will result. Unmodified humans will increasingly be unable to compete. Those humans who wish to exercise their fundamental right not to become enhanced will, therefore, increasingly see enhanced humans as threats.

Transhumanists can respond as follows:
* It is the goal of transhumanism to make 'biotechnology's marvels' - and all other technologies of enhancement - available to anyone who wishes to access them
* Nevertheless, it is a fair point that these technologies will likely result in a greater diversity of human form and experience than has been the case throughout human history, as different people choose different ways to develop themselves
* This greater diversity will bring its own set of challenges, but none of these should be seen as any fundamental reason to oppose the transhumanist project.