In this blog post, I will examine how biotechnology—which enriches human life—could pose a threat to the survival of Homo sapiens if it advances too far, and I will reflect on the relationship between the advancement of biotechnology and a sustainable future for humanity.
Having diverged from a common ancestor with apes, humanity underwent a long evolutionary process to become Homo sapiens, the modern human species, and has now become the species with the greatest influence on Earth. Throughout this process, human lifestyles have evolved to a higher level, and science and technology have advanced to unprecedented levels. However, excessive scientific and technological advancement can also pose a significant threat to humanity. The destructive power of nuclear weapons, demonstrated toward the end of World War II, strikes fear into everyone; however, if we remain vigilant and manage them internationally, we can to some extent prevent the possibility of humanity’s annihilation through a nuclear war between nations. Rather than that, biotechnology—which plays a major role in extending human lifespan and improving quality of life, and whose side effects most people do not seriously consider—may pose an even greater threat to humanity. While the media primarily highlights examples of biotechnology’s benefits, it does not always yield positive outcomes. If a scenario like the one depicted in the movie ‘Gattaca’—where genetic traits are screened or manipulated before birth to determine an individual’s life and social status—becomes a reality, we must consider the possibility of a new form of class-based society emerging. Biotechnology is currently advancing rapidly in fields such as gene editing, stem cell research, tissue engineering, and organ transplantation, and we have reached a point where some tissues and organs can be artificially replaced or supported. Furthermore, with the development of technologies that directly modify genes, research is being conducted to artificially alter the characteristics of living organisms. However, current technology alone does not allow for the arbitrary alteration of human identity or the entire human body based solely on capital and time, nor have we reached the stage where genetic modifications to human embryos can be freely applied in clinical settings. Nevertheless, the advancement of biotechnology raises significant concerns, as continued progress in these technologies could increase the likelihood of fundamentally altering human biological characteristics. The idea that such biotechnology could ultimately bring about the end of humanity is difficult to dismiss as mere delusion. At a time when biotechnology is gradually transforming what was once the stuff of imagination into real-world technology, examining why and how biotechnology might potentially lead to the end of humanity is crucial for us—as the architects of the near future—to leave room to mitigate those risks; therefore, I will explain this matter.
Biotechnology is a term that collectively refers to technologies that artificially manipulate biological phenomena and the functions of living organisms. As the definition suggests, biotechnology encompasses the disciplines and technologies aimed at understanding and utilizing the characteristics of living organisms to serve human purposes. Although biological manipulations—such as castration to more easily harness the labor of livestock—have been practiced for a long time, modern technology has emerged that allows us to manipulate biological processes at the microscopic level. As a result, it has become possible to medically alter gender-related physical characteristics or create new varieties, such as seedless fruits. However, not all of these examples fall strictly within the scope of modern biotechnology, and it is necessary to distinguish between traditional breeding and modern genetic engineering. By applying biotechnology as it has evolved to the present day, it is possible to analyze genetic information to identify specific genetic traits even before birth, and to alter the function of specific genes through gene-editing technologies. However, current technology does not allow us to fully predict an individual’s future appearance or freely modify it as desired; in particular, the clinical editing of human embryos’ genes to pass them on to the next generation is strictly restricted due to scientific, ethical, and legal concerns. If technology continues to advance in the future, there is a possibility that attempts will be made to create beings with new biological characteristics that compensate for human shortcomings, and this possibility compels us to consider even more carefully the impact that biotechnology will have on humanity’s future.
Given that biotechnology has the potential to bring about significant changes to humanity’s future from a scientific and technological perspective, there are many ethical and political debates surrounding it. Many people believe that humanity is not yet sufficiently prepared, ethically or socially, to handle technology capable of creating other life forms and manipulating their characteristics at will; some even fear the possibility of the emergence of beings that surpass human capabilities. However, despite this sentiment, biotechnology research has continued under the pretext of benefiting humanity, and vast resources have been invested, particularly in research aimed at treating human diseases and prolonging life. The Human Genome Project was a large-scale international research effort aimed at determining the nucleotide sequence of the human genome, and it was officially completed in 2003. Since then, research has continued to fill in the gaps in the genome with greater precision and to interpret the data; in 2022, research results presenting a nearly complete sequence of the human genome were published. In addition, research is ongoing to treat and regenerate damaged tissues and organs using stem cells, including embryonic stem cells. While in the past, discussions primarily focused on research involving embryos within 14 days after fertilization, today there are diverse debates across nations and societies not only regarding the scientific potential of embryonic research but also about the permissible duration of such research and ethical standards. Furthermore, compared to other living beings, humans possess a characteristic of constantly pursuing their desires and convenience; therefore, even if risks or problems exist, it is highly likely that we will continue to pursue advancements in biotechnology for the treatment of diseases, improved quality of life, and life extension.
If this trend continues, advancements in biotechnology may enable humanity to develop intellectual and emotional capabilities different from those we have today—such as sharing thoughts and emotions with others, artificially augmenting human cognitive abilities, and gaining easier access to a wide range of knowledge. As Yuval Harari has noted, humanity evolved into a species with a level of influence difficult to compare to that of other animals through the Cognitive Revolution—a process involving communication via language and the social cooperation it enables. If the power of biotechnology is added to these changes, one can imagine the emergence of a new humanity that is biologically and socially quite different from Homo sapiens. This new species could develop more advanced brain functions and cognitive abilities to perform the activities described above more effectively; furthermore, if artificial intelligence and biotechnology were to be integrated, it might evolve in ways that compensate for human physical limitations. Conversely, it is also possible that certain bodily functions could be replaced by technology, leading to physical characteristics different from those of today. In other words, if not only the methods of communication but also genetic and physical characteristics change, it is possible that a species biologically quite different from present-day Homo sapiens could emerge in the distant future. If such changes were to actually occur, we cannot rule out the possibility of serious competition or conflict arising between this new species and present-day Homo sapiens. Just as other human species disappeared during the spread of Homo sapiens, we can imagine that the emergence of a new human species could lead to the disappearance of present-day Homo sapiens from history.
In summary, biotechnology is advancing to a level where it can much more actively alter and understand human genetic characteristics, health, lifespan, and physical functions than ever before. Despite the ethical and social issues it raises, this technology is likely to continue advancing due to humanity’s relentless desire for progress and convenience. As a result, in the long term, it is possible that a new human species with biological and social characteristics different from those of present-day humans could emerge. If these new beings share thoughts and emotions with others or significantly expand human cognitive abilities using technologies such as artificial intelligence—and if even their physical characteristics differ from those of current humanity—they could become beings quite distinct from Homo sapiens. Furthermore, if the emergence of this new humanity weakens the competitiveness and viability of the existing human race, we cannot rule out the possibility that it could ultimately lead to the end of humanity as we know it. When we consider the changes that biotechnology—which we once believed without a doubt would bring us benefits—is bringing about for humanity, and how it could ultimately affect the very existence of the human race, we will each be compelled to contemplate our own strategies. However, this is merely one of many possible scenarios, and there is no guarantee that the advancement of biotechnology will inevitably lead to the end of humanity. Rather, what is important is not to unconditionally block the advancement of biotechnology, but to use it responsibly while thoroughly examining its impact on humans and society. From nature’s perspective, humans are merely one species among countless living beings; however, in our current situation—where technological progress has given us the power to dominate and transform the world—how we use that power is even more critical. If we pursue only relentless progress, biotechnology could indeed become a factor leading to the end of Homo sapiens; however, if we strike a balance between the benefits and risks of biotechnology, take our relationship with nature into account, and pursue sustainable development, humanity will be able to ensure its survival while improving the quality of life.
