the new bioethics, Vol. 20 No. 2, 2014, 107–108

Editorial Running throughout the papers in this edition is the theme of the human body. As we reflect upon the future and the new technologies appearing both in the foreground and in the distance, some perceive the human body becoming redundant and almost disappearing from view. They herald our escape from the confines of the rather pitiful and restrictive ‘earth suit’ we all currently possess. As Alastair V. Campbell has argued, adopting this perspective fails to appreciate the full nature of humanity which is rooted in an understanding of the connection between mind and body with constant interaction. In evaluating and assessing new technologies, particular attention needs to be given to what extent it enables or disables in ‘restoring unity between ourselves, our bodies, between ourselves and others and between the human and non-human environment’ (Campbell 2009). We are delighted to carry papers all addressing this issue from the follow-up symposium to the ‘The 21st Century Body’ held in 2012, aptly entitled ‘The 21st Century Body Reloaded’ and held in November 2013 in collaboration with University College London Anthropology, St Mary’s University and the think-tank BioCentre. Julia Laki’s paper highlights the truly multidisciplinary nature of the new bioethics conversation by addressing issues of the human body and contemporary art. Drawing upon Paul Rabinow’s notion of biosociality and the molecularization and geneticization of the medical gaze, she argues that it results in the formation of an experimental public of artists, scientists and laypeople, all invested in actively shaping the conceptualization of bodies and diseases. Deborah Gale picks up on this notion of changing conceptualizations of the body by addressing the challenge of increased longevity and how we must learn to navigate the unexplored life terrain between middle and extreme age. How can we redefine this life stage and navigate new pathways for growing old in order to maximize the untapped contributions of the largest and longest-ever living cohort? Gale posits that this requires a new choice of architecture and decision making about personal ageing that will challenge long held attitudes, perceptions and mindsets and she offers some fascinating ideas in response to this. Despite the rapid advances in human enhancement technologies and the challenges they present to perceptions of the human body, theological engagement with the subject is still relatively sparse. Justin Tomkins seeks to address this deficit, first by reviewing what work has already taken place before proceeding to explore how three key aspects of Christian theology, eschatology, love of God and love of neighbour, provide valuable tools for increasing theological engagement with human enhancement. Alongside the symposium papers, two further articles provide interesting perspectives on the human body. Anna Westin offers an engaging analysis of key philosophical and social questions that shape the contemporary discourse on ß W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2014

DOI 10.1179/2050287714Z.00000000045

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MATT JAMES

prostitution. She explores whether the current ontology employed by human rights theory is effective in creating a system of just relatedness between agents, made visible in concrete legislative guidance. How the body is perceived is pivotal to this argument; as Westin comments, ‘The body is used as a means of economic revenue, and the specific ‘‘intimate’’ way of relating to the other person becomes an act to make money. Sex then becomes another mode of labour to produce a product’. Campbell’s quote mentioned earlier speaks of the need to consider how new advances and developments not least restore unity between ourselves and others. S. Joseph Tham and Marie Catherine Letendre’s paper picks up on this by addressing factors that have contributed to shifts in decision making within healthcare. Much has been written about patient autonomy but increasingly the focus is expanding to include how to improve patient participation. These authors argue that the shift in the West from the individual to the relational self indicates an important change in the understanding of autonomy. Practices that recognize the notion of the relational self allow for a more balanced view of autonomy and a richer conception of moral agency. Finally, if wider understanding and appreciation of the connection between mind and body is to be reached then effective bioethics education of the non professional needs to take place. Echoing the ethos of this journal for reclaiming bioethics as a diverse and multidisciplinary project, Emmerich writes that if bioethics is to play its part in ‘educating for citizenship’ then there is good reason not to restrict ourselves to the pedagogy of applied ethics and instead embrace a broader cross disciplinary approach which includes both the arts and the social sciences. These papers provide much to consider and reflect upon. We would be pleased to hear from you and welcome any responses either through submitted papers for peer review or letters. Matt James Managing Editor

References Campbell, A.V. 2009. Being mindful of the body: Enriching the conceptual background of bioethics. Law, Innovation and Technology, 1(2), pp.171–79.

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Editorial. The 21st Century Body Reloaded - Symposium, London, November 7-8, 2013.

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