Human cloning,transhumanism and Hubris

  Is it  Hubris ?

Hubris 
However just as fundamental as desire to transcend ourselves was a fear to do so, perception 

of hubris as violation of divine or natural law.' Greek mythology depicts story of Prometheus, 

who attributed humans with fire. which was contrary to divine orders and for which he was 

harshly punished by the king Of gods. Similarly Daedalus was punished when his son Icarus 

ignored paternal warnings flying too close to the sun, which eaused device malfunction and 

subsequent death. Medieval practice of alchemy, as well as pretty much any science, was 

often discouraged and considered manifestation of vanity. since it claimed insight in the mind 

Of God beyond the revelation. Concept Of hubris still persists even today helping to :egulate 

prospective m)licies. If we define it after Bostrom (2005) as perception that "some ambitions 

are off-limits and will backfire if pursued" hubris can be considered at core of contemporary 

bioconservatism. TO realize depth Of historical antagonism between desire to transcend and 

hubris perhaps it is enough to consider novelist Aldous Huxley and his position on 

technological development so strikingly different from that of his own brother Julian, as 

exemplified in 1932 monumental "Brave New World" 

2. Transhumanism and bioconservatism