Gregor Wolbring | University of Calgary

A Culture of Neglect: Climate Discourse and Disabled People

M/C Journal, Vol. 12, No. 4 (2009)

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Wolbring (2009) 'Therapeutic', enhancement enabling, assistive devices and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: A missing lens in the enhancement regulation discourse

Journal of International Biotechnology Law JIBL Vol. 6 Issue 5 page 193-206

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Editor with Anita Ghai and Kirk Allison of a special issue of Journal: Review of Disability Studies with the theme Human Security, Social Cohesion and Disability

Review in Disability Studies

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Die Konvergenz der Governance von Wissenschaft und Technik mit der Governance des "Ableism" The convergence of science and technology governance with the governance of Ableism

TECHNIKFOLGENABSCHÄTZUNG – Theorie und Praxis Herausgeber: Institut für Technikfolgenabschätzung und Systemanalyse (ITAS) Technology assessment Theorie and Praxis. Publisher Institute for Technology assessment and system analysis ITAS

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"Is there an end to out-able? Is there an end to the rat race for abilities?"

Journal of Media and Culture 2008

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Human Enhancement Study

co-authored with Coenen Schuijff, Smits, Klaassen, Hennen, Rader and published by Directorate General for internal policies, Policy Dept. A: Economic and Scientific Policy Science and Technology Options Assessments European Parliament

Abstract
The study attempts to bridge the gap between visions on human
enhancement (HE) and the relevant technoscientific developments. It
outlines possible strategies of how to deal with HE in a European
context, identifying a reasoned pro-enhancement approach, a
reasoned restrictive approach and a case-by-case approach as viable
options for the EU. The authors propose setting up a European body
(temporary committee or working group) for the development of a
normative framework that guides the formulation of EU policies on HE.

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Oscar Pistorius and the Future Nature of Olympic, Paralympic and Other Sports

SCRIPT-ed 2008 A Journal of Law, Technology & Society

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Why NBIC? Why human performance enhancement?

European Journal of Social Science Research, Vol 21,No.1,pp.25-40, 2008

A 2001 U.S. workshop with the title "Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC): Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance" introduced the convergence of various sciences and technologies based on their nanoscale properties. It highlighted BIC as the science and technologies converging on the nanoscale. However many other sciences and technologies with nanoscale components exist, such as chemistry and material sciences. Furthermore the workshop chose human performance enhancement as its case study of application despite various other possible applications that could have been chosen. This paper addresses the questions why the workshop organizers (a) introduced nanoscale as a convergence concept, (b) chose BIC as the convergence examples and (c) chose human performance enhancement as their application. The paper provides some thoughts as to the success and consequences of that strategy.

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Should we 'cure' aging?

Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology Vol 1 Issue 1, 2007

This is a reply to the discussion piece Life Span Extension Research and Public Debate: Societal Considerations, Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology by Audrey de Grey.

Having read the article there seem to be four messages. The first being, that longevity/immortality research faces rejection, resistance and neglect from `classic anti-aging' researchers, policy makers, the funding system and the public. The second being that the `pro-aging' trance is illogical; the third being that not pushing for longevity and immortality research is immoral; and the fourth being that so far no valid reason for opposing longevity and immortality has been generated and that we will deal with potential problems if and when they appear. My message in this invited comment is 1) that de Grey is right with his first point; 2) that his second point is debatable and depends on certain assumptions; 3) that his third point is even on weaker feet and debatable (Morals and ethics are social and cultural constructions and depending on ones frame of reference something can be seen as moral and ethical or not. This is a whole different paper as to who decides which morals and ethics are right and wrong and can't be covered here.) and 4) that the longevity and immortality research exhibits the same discourse problems as the other new and emerging technology discourses, namely that its makes light of potential and real social risks that it tailors to a minority of the world and ignores the marginalized majority of the world.

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