Religion, Transhumanism, and Body Modification

Rapid medical and technological advances in recent years have spurred the growth of social movements related to radical life extension, body modification, and human-AI integration. These include the growing transhumanist movement, increases in plastic surgery and DIY “biohacking,” and quasi-religious movements surrounding predictions about the future of superintelligent artificial intelligence. This panel invites papers examining how religion, nonreligion, and/or spirituality intersect with these movements. Potential topics include but are not limited to: How do variations in religion and nonreligion predict support for radical body modification? What kinds of religious-like practices and/or “techno-spiritual” practices are found in movements for radically extended lives and modified bodies? How do religious and/or nonreligious groups perceive the morality of body modification and human-AI integration? How are religious groups adapting to rapid technological changes related to AI or incorporating these technologies into their practices?