“Manufacturing Life” is the topic of the latest two special sections of the journal NanoEthics. Studies of New and Emerging Technologies (https://link.springer.com/journal/11569), which are guest edited by Diego Compagna and Melike Şahinol. Research and insights about the (re‑)constructions of living beings through practices in life sciences and technology with a focus on cultural, ethical and social issues related to nano-, bio-, information and cognitive sciences and technologies (NBIC) are the focus of both special sections. The first special section gathers 9 research-based and conceptual contributions whereas the second special section is dedicated to 3 art science projects. All the contributions reflect the convergence of the above stated fields that will lead to a substantial transformation of the corporeality of living beings, their interrelations to each other and to technology. Human pathways are bound up with other species, like microbes, plants and animals, but they are also bound up with technology. Enhancement practices (including “plant enhancement”, “animal enhancement” or “human enhancement” through Brain-Machine Interfaces, genome editing, prosthetics, etc.) are already manufacturing life in different ways, using different enhancement technologies, combining them (both living beings and technologies) in different environments, creating new entities, like organic-inorganic/ human-nonhuman entanglements, like cyborgs or human-animal chimera and socio-technical systems. The contributions of the two special sections are addressing questions related to these developments as well as to how these will affect human-technology oppositions in western theories and the consequences for contemporary western culture that is still built on the pillars of humanism and a dualistic, cartesian approach. They are also raising questions for which extent intersections and practices without this dualistic view can be observed and if they are undermining regimes of injustice that are relying on the social construction of nature and culture as distinct separate areas of knowledge and influence.
For information and questions please do not hesitate to contact the guest editors:
Prof. Dr. Diego Compagna: diego.compagna@hm.edu & Dr. Melike Şahinol (corresponding author): sahinol@oiist.org.
Introductions to the Special Sections:
Compagna, D., Şahinol, M. Enhancement Technologies and the Politics of Life. Nanoethics 16, 15–20 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-022-00416-z
Compagna, D., Şahinol, M. Enhancement Technologies and the Politics of Life: Interfaces of Art and Science. Nanoethics 16, 195–196 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-022-00420-3
Compagna, D., Şahinol, M. (Eds.) (2022). Manufacturing Life (Part 2). Special Section in NanoEthics Studies of New and Emerging Technologies, Volume 16, issue 2, August 2022, pp 195–238. https://link.springer.com/journal/11569/volumes-and-issues/16-2.
Compagna, D. & Şahinol, M. (Eds.) (2022). Manufacturing Life (Part 1). Special Section in NanoEthics Studies of New and Emerging Technologies, Volume 16, issue 1, April 2022, pp 15–150. https://link.springer.com/journal/11569/volumes-and-issues/16-1.