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Language Mètode Science Studies Journal : Annual Review. 2022. Issue 12
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- Surpassing our genes : The subversive post-human message of 'Gattaca'(2022) Klein, Emily M.; Ceccarelli, LeahThe movie Gattaca is often referenced in public debates about the societal dangers of human gene editing. In the public imaginary, its message is clear: the dystopian future it portrays stands as a warning against the societal acceptance of genetic perfectionism and genetic discrimination. This article argues that such a reading misses a deeper message of this cinematic text. Rather than offer a bioethics lesson against the use of genetics to make better human babies, in our opinion, the film actually argues that such genetic tampering is unlikely to succeed, but that the genetic engineering of a superior post-human individual is both possible and desirable
- We are (and will always be) ephemeral : Stories about futures with improved humans(2022) Prieto, PepStories about the future, and about the humans living in the future, stem from our awareness of our own limitations and all that which we may never be. These representations, whether utopian or dystopian, are evidence of the contradiction between our desires and our doubts
- Human enhancement and functional diversity : Ethical concerns of emerging technologies and transhumanism(2022) Serra, Miquel ÀngelThe concepts of posthuman, transhuman, transhumanism and human enhancement, and their use of emerging technologies, are described together with their scientific and social implications. Genome editing techniques for enhancement purposes, as well as their scientific, societal, and ethical drawbacks are specifically discussed. In particular, we focus on a perspective of personal and collective responsibility and social inclusion, considering all people, with their functional diversity or different abilities. Pros and cons of proposals for radical transformation as endorsed by transhumanism (genome editing), their impact on future generations and on subjects with functional diversity, and the need of a global ethical frame, are discussed
- The science of transhumanism : Are we nearly there?(2022) Willmott, ChrisTranshumanism looks to utilise science and technology to move humans beyond the limitations of their natural form. Recent scientific advances have, for the first time, presented plausible genetic interventions for the directed evolution of humans. In separate developments, electromechanical innovations, including miniaturisation of components and improvements in bio-compatible materials, have seen breakthroughs in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) that potentiate a cybernetic dimension, in which mechanical devices would be under the direct control of the mind. This article offers insight into the most important of these recent advances, with particular emphasis on genome editing and therapeutic uses of BMIs in which the same technology might be employed for enhancement
- Hideous progeny? : The future of growing humans(2022) Ball, PhilipToday’s biotechnologies are not simply providing powerful new possibilities in medicine; they are transforming our view of what it can mean to be human. In particular, the discovery of the extreme plasticity of cells – the possibility of changing one tissue type for another, and of regenerating the embryonic cell state from which we all grew – forces us to confront our status as a contingent community of living cells, and challenges traditional notions of self and identity. Here I discuss some of these technologies and their broader social, ethical and philosophical implications
- Transhumanism. : Beyond the body(2022) Macip Maresma, SalvadorScience allows us to understand the world we live in. Centuries of research have helped us learn more about our place in the universe, and we have discovered a perhaps even more fascinating mystery: how the organism we inhabit works and the reasons why it stops doing so. In this field, as in many others, we have gone from just admiring nature’s wonders to being able to control them
- COVID-19 and climate change : Challenges or opportunities for economic recovery(2022) Markandya, Anil; Mueller, Alexander; Salcone, Jacob; Thambi, Simi; Hussain, SalmanThe paper reviews the impact that COVID-19 has had on the ambitions of countries to meet the Paris Accord of reducing emissions to keep global temperature increases to below 2 ºC in this century. It notes that as nations recover from the crises, if no additional measures are taken, emissions of greenhouse gases will rise again and return to their old pathway as they did after previous crises. The paper proposes actions in the short and medium terms to build back differently this time and help meet the global climate challenge
- The future of citrus fruit : The impact of climate change on citriculture(2022) Balfagón, Damián; Arbona Mengual, Vicent; Gómez Cadenas, AurelioCurrent citriculture is threatened by climate change. The increase in temperature, together with other adverse climate phenomena, is modifying the environmental conditions in the regions where citrus varieties are currently being developed. The detrimental effects of these adverse environmental factors on citrus physiology and production, such as drought or augmented soil salinity, will likely increase because of elevated temperatures, which will jeopardise crop production and, in extreme cases, even plant survival. Studying citrus tolerance responses to climate change may hold the key to developing new citrus varieties capable of withstanding future environmental conditions while still maintaining production
- Climate change is not equal to all : The contribution of feminist studies to climate change research(2022) Rivera Ferre, MartaThe impacts of climate change on people are not homogeneous, with some social groups being more heavily affected than others. This is due to the existence of a differential and contextual vulnerability that most often is related to inequality. In this sense, gender is a key axis of social inequality that intersects with other systems of power and marginalization to cause unequal experiences of climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Thus, a gender analysis in climate change research examines structures and relationships of power. In this article, I provide some examples of differential impacts of climate change and how feminist studies make visible the underlying causes of vulnerability as well as the agency of marginalised actors to propose alternatives
- Citizenship and social transformation : New discourses and action against climate change(2022) Melo Escrihuela, CarmeClimate change has been at the centre of the environmental debate for three decades. Despite international agreements, humanity has not been able to stop the global increase in temperature. The coronavirus crisis has relegated the climate emergency debate to the background, although the connections between climate change and the pandemic prove that we have many reasons to act to mitigate climate change. Public policies have favoured regulations, market instruments, and modernisation strategies that consolidate a sort of green capitalism that aggravates and depoliticises the problem. However, the fight against climate change needs an innovative approach based on citizen politics and social transformation
- Climate change in high-mountain regions : An international perspective and a look at the Pyrenees(2022) Bilbao Barrenetxea, Nerea; Henrique Faria, SérgioHigh mountains are among the regions most affected by climate change. The complex network of interactions between climate, biological, and sociocultural structures in these regions is being altered by the changing climate. In this work, we try to explore the future challenges for these unique regions. We analyse why they are important and what problems they are facing in today’s climate and political scenario, with a special focus on the Pyrenees
- The Anthropocene perspective : A geological approach to climate change(2022) Cearreta Bilbao, AlejandroThe most recent division of geological time is based on climate events caused by variations in the Earth’s orbit and axis of rotation on a scale of thousands of years. However, the magnitude of geological change caused by humankind through its still young technosphere, particularly since the mid-20th century, is negatively affecting the other classical spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere). This is because of our increasing demand for raw materials and the incomplete recycling of its residues (e.g., greenhouse gases). The massive use of fossil fuels to power the recent boom in industrial development has turned humanity into the new agent of planetary-scale climate change. Some alterations associated with this new Anthropocene climate system are already irreversible and exceed the natural variability of the last few thousand years
- Climate crisis. : The crevice of the planet(2022) Henrique Faria, Sérgio; Sanz, María JoséThis monograph presents a collection of essays and perspectives on the multiple dimensions of the current climate crisis, characterised by the threat to the global environment and our social fabric posed by anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change
- Towards recovery : Therapeutic approaches to improve the treatment of alcohol use disorder(2022) Jurado Barba, Rosa; Sion, Ana; Esteban Rodríguez, Laura; Martínez Maldonado, Andrés; Rubio Valladolid, GabrielCurrently, the best evidence-based treatments for alcohol dependence are those developed in multidisciplinary programmes based on a cognitive-behavioural approach, including psychological, sociological, and medical dimensions. However, recovery is not always achieved. The percentage of individuals who abandon and relapse is high throughout the process and an adequate state of wellbeing is not always found. This paper outlines some of the complements or techniques that could be incorporated to the most common treatments to enhance behavioural change, taking into account long-term outcomes. Thus, the text highlights the importance of considering recovery as the culmination of the process of change towards improved health, wellbeing, and self-directed life purpose, rather than just abstinence
- Gambling addiction: myth or reality? : Analysing the scientific evidence on gambling disorder(2022) Mestre, Gemma; Valenciano Mendoza, Eduardo; Mora Maltas, Bernat; Fernández Aranda, Fernando; Jiménez Murcia, SusanaInterest in gambling disorder, formerly known as pathological gambling, has been growing in both the clinical and scientific community. The increase in empirical evidence concerning gambling disorder has allowed for a better understanding of the pathology, as well as the identification of common comorbidities and the design of potential therapeutic options. The present review addresses all these issues, including recent findings in this area of study
- The other targets of alcohol use disorder : The systemic effects of alcohol abuse(2022) Sanvisens Bergé, Arantza; Muga, RobertDrinking alcohol is an established and normalised practice in our society, even though it can physically harm us. High-risk alcohol drinking patterns can increase the chance of negative consequences for the drinkers or their environment. The liver is by far the organ most affected by alcohol abuse; however, alcohol use disorder is a systemic disease which affects a wide range of organs and psychological processes. Other systems that can be affected by continued alcohol consumption include the immune, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. In addition, alcohol can lead to epigenetic alterations that may be transmitted from one generation to the next
- Medications against drugs : Development of medications to prevent and treat substance use disorders(2022) Dario Montoya, IvanSubstance use disorder (SUD) is a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, there are few safe and effective medications to treat SUD and efficacy is suboptimal. There are important financial and scientific obstacles to develop new compounds, but recent advances in the discovery of new brain receptors and neurocircuits are offering opportunities to develop new pharmacotherapies. A systematic scientific approach to develop medications is required to demonstrate their safety and efficacy, bring it to market, and prescribe it to patients. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a general overview of the challenges and opportunities in medications development for SUD, describe the phased approach of this development, the medications approved, and those that appear most promising
- Willpower hijacked : The science of addictions(2022) Miñarro López, JoséSurely, we all know someone close to us who uses drugs. Consider, for example, tobacco or alcohol, or even marijuana. They may at some point have tried to stop using and, after somewhat longer or shorter periods of abstinence, have started using again. Not every drug user develops an addiction: addicts’ lives revolve around compulsive drug-seeking and use; they lose control over their own decision-making and end up relapsing. This occurs because addiction is a brain disease that can modify its structure and functioning, affecting the areas of the brain responsible for controlling our behaviour. Addiction is a public health problem affecting a high percentage of the population and leads to health, family, and work-related problems
- Two interconnected worlds : How exposure to social stress makes us more vulnerable to drug use(2022) Montagud Romero, Sandra; Reguilón, Marina D.; Rodríguez Arias, MartaStress is one of the main risk factors that can induce humans to develop disorders such as depression, anxiety, or drug use. One of the main sources of stress is social interaction, which can lead to situations like bullying at school or at work. In this article we will review the close relationship between exposure to stressful situations and increased cocaine or alcohol use. We will present the main results obtained with animal models, which allow us to study the brain mechanisms involved in the impact of stress on drug use. To conclude, we will detail the main mechanisms that explain the powerful effect of stress on substance us
- From crayfish to humans : An evolutionary perspective of addiction(2022) Ferrer Pérez, Carmen; Miñarro López, JoséAddiction is a complex disease whose manifestation is unique to each individual patient. Despite this, our knowledge suggests that many of the consequences of using drugs of abuse are due to alterations in the brain, which would be similar from one individual to another. Specifically, drugs of abuse drugs act on the brain’s reward system to trigger behavioural effects. In this paper, we will unravel the functions and phylogenetic roots of this system and then explain how drugs of abuse can affect the functioning of the brain. Addiction research and treatment requires a biopsychosocial approach and hence, being aware of the phylogenetic side of this problem can help to build a holistic view of the disease
