Technoprogressive Ideology
Technoprogressivism is an ideological stance with roots in Enlightenment thought which focuses on how human flourishing is advanced by the convergence of technological progress and democratic social change. Technoprogressives argue that technological innovations can be profoundly empowering and emancipatory when they are democratically and transparently regulated for safety and efficacy, and then made universally and equitably available. See for instance the Technoprogressive Declaration.
The IEET has built a network of the most visionary thinkers and activists working on the policy implications of human enhancement and other emerging technologies.
We support technoprogressive research through grants and donations, which fund IEET Fellows and interns working on the ethical and policy issues of human enhancement and other emerging technologies. Since 2004, IEET Fellows and Affiliate Scholars have written thousands of op-eds, journal articles, and book chapters, and the IEET has promoted their work through the IEET website and publications
In addition, the IEET often organizes and co-sponsors conferences and one day seminars in North America and Europe to promote discussion of techoprogressive ideas.
Sane adult citizens have a right to control their own bodies and minds. Through the Rights of the Person program, we engage the human rights community, legal scholars, reproductive rights activists, the transgendered community, and advocates of public health approaches to illicit drugs in a campaign to deepen and broaden the concept of human rights. In particular we believe that the right to technological self-determination should be protected by laws and treaties.
Twenty extra years of healthy life are just as valuable in someone’s second century of life as in their first. With the Longer, Better Lives program we seek to make the case for longer healthier lives, addressing objections to life extension, from the alleged problem of overpopulation to the threat of ennui. We are coordinating and seeking consultation with senior citizens groups and organizations of the disabled to help them challenge ageist and ableist attitudes that discourage the full utilization of health technology.
Economy Security:
The IEET believes that this time is different; the technological innovations of the 21st century will be dramatically reducing the demand for human labor of all kinds. We need to prepare now for the wrenching political and economic reforms that will be necessary to ensure that technological unemployment is a boon for all, and not just an economic elite
Science and Technology Policy:
a. Encouraging innovation and resisting intellectual property overreach
b. Public financing of science
c. Regulation for safety and efficacy
d. Bodily Self-determination, e.g. genetic self-ownership
e. Enabling the Disabled
f. Reproductive Rights, e.g. access to safe and effective reproductive and contraceptive technologies, including genomic choice