OLD CONTINGENCIES IN A NEW STORY: HUMAN ENHANCEMENT TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CASE OF COVID-19

This paper explores the ethical and social dimensions of Human Enhancement Technologies (HET) during disasters, particularly how their justification generates contingencies and influences social agendas. Building on Mitrović’s previous framework of comprehending the double effect of the coronavirus crisis, the paper examines how bioethical debates shape medical and political practices, with implications for various groups. The analysis draws on discussing vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 as an internal form of HET, raising questions about the ethical boundaries and societal impacts of such technologies. The paper argues that technologies that typically require a thorough medical and ethical evaluation are applied hastily during disasters, potentially neglecting individual autonomy and public health interests, thus becoming part of a broader political agenda. It delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding vaccination and how bioethical divisions in HET influence public discourse. The paper highlights inconsistencies in ethical debates and their influence on public perception by examining critical arguments related to HET justification. The final section proposes a framework for analyzing HET in future pandemics, using practical examples to illustrate the need for a more nuanced and ethically consistent approach.