The Need for Ethics in a Bioengineer's Life

Technology has solutions to almost every health problem and if it doesn't have one yet, it will. We are fast approaching the possibility of replacing every part of our body including parts of our brain. Ground breaking technology is helping the blind to see with an interface between artificial vision systems and the retina. We may even be able to alter our personality. We are looking at the possibility of correcting disease states at the genetic level. Eventually, we will not only have the ability to conquer deficits and illness but we will be able to transform ourselves genetically to improve capacity intellectually and physically, thus changing the trajectory of our evolution. We may even be able to extend human life indefinitely. Bioengineers along with society are at a crossroads of possibilities, some of which are exciting and some of which may even be dangerous. How will limits on undesirable technology be imposed in a world that fails to unite around climate change or weapons of mass destruction? As bioengineers get appropriate training in ethics, they will be better prepared to address the ethical challenges that they might face during their professional life. In the end, it's our values, principles, and beliefs that make us human.