Our Transhumanist Manifesto

The American Transhumanist Society

Transhumanist Manifesto I

This manifesto summarizes the positions that the American Transhumanist Society(ATS) holds with regard to the future of the human species and the nature of the human condition.

It is essential to first understand our definition of Transhumanism:

The theory that the human condition can be improved and expanded by technological means, and the belief that it would benefit humankind to do so.



As Transhumanists according to the definition above, the following are our core values:

Humans are an integral part of nature. We evolved alongside other life forms on the Earth, and as the only apparent species on Earth gifted with rational thought, it is our obligation to preserve not only our own nature, but the natural environment we came from. Life, so far as we can observe, is the most precious resource in the entire universe. Any decisions we make as a species must be made with this in mind as a primary concern. As the only rational beings in the known universe, we must also recognize the uniqueness of our position as guardians of the environment and of life, and work to expand and preserve human society as a balanced interest while we simultaneously work to preserve the environment.

Given the precarious nature of life, its preciousness as the most limited resource in the universe, and our unique ability to protect it, humanity must take every responsible measure to move beyond its status as a single planet society. Utilizing the vast resources available within our solar system and embracing the redundant safety of a multi planet society would help ensure the continued success of the only known life in the universe.

Our ethical positions are derived from humanism, from a desire to treat and consider each individual person as possessing value and dignity. With this as our guiding ethical factor, we seek to reduce suffering in the world by utilizing the human tools of reason and science to deliver technological solutions to a variety of conditions afflicting the human species. Chief among these are:

• Death due to old age
• Resource depletion
• Irreversible Injury
• Poverty
• Illiteracy

Using reason and the plentiful resources at hand, we can not only solve the above problems, but we believe we can expand upon the current ideal human experience through the modification of our immediate surroundings, and even of the human body itself.

We recognize the potential for transhuman technologies to be limited in access to only a small number of the human population. We believe that it is essential to democratize access to transhuman technologies via the transformation of the economic system. This is a complicated problem, and we believe it is the responsibility of all people to understand the coming difficulties in the modern market. We encourage efforts to research solutions to market difficulties so that we are prepared to offer the greatest benefit to everyone.

Most importantly, we consider the advent of advanced technologies to be inevitable. These technologies, if not developed in a coordinated and comprehensive fashion, do have the potential for disastrous rather than beneficial effect. For this reason, our primary mission is to educate the human population on the coming challenges and opportunities. The chief challenges we recognize are:

• Limited access to technology
• Massive job loss due to automation
• Malevolent artificial intelligence
• Rapid resource depletion

We do not possess the answers to each of these concerns, but our suggested areas of research and potential solutions are as follows-

For limited access to technology: A transition from supply side economics to a distributed manufacturing model. A high percentage of supply market participation reduces the influence of concentrated economic power, and democratizes access to advanced technology.

For massive job loss due to automation: A robust social welfare program during the transition to distributed manufacturing, fueled by the economic boost from unpaid robotic labor forces. World governments are called upon to anticipate coming labor force changes and act preemptively to develop effective models of taxation and wealth distribution.

Malevolent artificial intelligence: As a malevolent AI would be far beyond the capabilities of the human species due to accelerating returns in AI performed research and development, we advocate coordinated global efforts to model and understand AI before it is developed. We do not believe AI to be avoidable, and therefore understanding the problem is the most important step to avoiding disaster. The development of friendly AI may be essential in mitigating the effects of malevolent AI.

Rapid resource depletion: The Earth has finite resources, and we must combine sustainable energy and manufacturing technology with a serious effort to extract resources from the solar system at large in order to ensure the survival of the species. We believe the species is on a precipice, in which regression is on one side and progression on the other. We cannot sustain our current energy and manufacturing practices, and we must develop new methods within the coming decades or else accept a regression to pre-industrial society.

With these solutions in mind, we encourage further research into areas of concern regarding the future of the species. Only as a great society working together can we overcome the technological, sociological, and physical hurdles between the present and a prosperous future.

current as of 10 August 2016

written by Eric Valero

Co-Founder,

American Transhumanist Society