‘The ethics of human enhancement for spaceflight'

In this presentation I examine the ethical reasons for and against enhancing human beings for spaceflight. I consider the supposed distinction between treatment and enhancement and argue that this much more difficult to maintain in modifying people for space environments than it is in the terrestrial context, but that ultimately modifications for space are essentially enhancements. I acknowledge that certain terrestrial disabilities may be considered enhancements in space given the functional improvements they give rise to. I also argue that astronauts always deserve to be treated as ends in themselves and not merely as guinea pigs where experimental enhancements are concerned.