Introduction
It is important to note that Ben Okri’s concept of ‘spirit children’ offers a unique perspective on how to view life and death. The given research analysis will focus on the author’s lessons that go against the constant desire to prolong human lifespan with medical advancements. The outside literature reviewed below agrees with Okri’s arguments that there should be a proper debate and discussion on whether or not extending life is ethical. Therefore, a sole focus on life extension is problematic because it causes developmental imbalance, devalues human life, and inflicts inequality and deprivation.
Ethical Concerns of Life Extension Through Medical Technology
Psychological and Developmental Imbalances
Firstly, new technological developments are constantly improving the ways human beings can live longer, which can create a developmental imbalance. Okri (1993) writes, “he wanted justice now. He wanted truth now. He wanted world balance now” (p. 360). This corresponds to the concerns raised by academics on human development about the dangers of radically extended lifespans. It is stated that “‘too large an increase’ … renders the subject of the later stages of that lifespan so psychologically dissimilar to … earlier stages that the two subjects are not the same person” (Roache, 2018, p. 217).
The argument raises an ethical concern regarding the use of medical technology to extend life. It essentially claims that later stages of development can cause abnormalities in mental health. The longer people live, the greater the drop in their quality of life since life extension does not necessarily mean well-being.
Inequity and Social Disparities in Access to Life-Extending
Secondly, the continuous push towards life extension through medical technology does not occur in a system of equality and equity. Okri (1993) writes, “Their anguish became for us an added spiritual weight which quickens the cycle of rebirth” (p. 2). In other words, the author depicts the ‘Living’ dimension as an undesirable plane of existence.
It is evidenced by the fact that life extension will not benefit everyone equally (Bruynseels et al., 2018). This inequality will ensure that the systems enabling the happiness of the powerful minority at the expense of the powerless majority will persist without progress toward fairness and justice. This means that life extension will further amplify the inequities of the modern disparities, which make the gap even greater than it already is today. Thus, at a minimum, such medical technologies should be available to everyone.
The Devaluation of Human Life and Ethical Implications of Transhumanism
Thirdly, the biggest concern about life extension through medical advancements is the devaluation of human life. Okri (1993) writes, “All creatures must be treated with respect from now on. If you want the lizard out, command it to go and it will go. We must use our powers wisely” (p. 364). The statement reflects the ethical implications of transhumanism and social engineering, which will become possible with life extension.
An extended human lifespan means understanding how to cure diseases and stop aging. The same principles can be applied not only to prevent these ailments but also to modify and enhance human capabilities (Belk, 2020). These developments create concern about what constitutes a human rather than a cyborg, robot, or android.
Conclusion
In conclusion, developmental imbalance, human life devaluation, and inequality can become the negative implications of a singular focus on life extension. One should be aware of massive ethical concerns about recklessly extending human lifespan without properly addressing these conflicting points. Okri’s ‘spirit children’ provides a unique perspective on assessing whether or not it is worth clinging to a life full of anguish and suffering.
References
Belk, R. (2020). Ethical issues in service robotics and artificial intelligence. The Service Industries Journal, 41(13-14), 860-876. Web.
Bruynseels, K., Santoni de Sio, F., & van den Hoven, J. (2018). Digital twins in health care: Ethical implications of an emerging engineering paradigm. Frontiers in Genetics, 9(31), 1-11. Web.
Okri, B. (1993). The famished road. Anchor.
Roache, R. (2018). What sort of person could have a radically extended lifespan? Journal of Medical Ethics, 44, 217-218. Web.