FIRST CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS

Proposal Submission Deadline: January 15, 2013

Global Issues and Ethical Concerns in Human Enhancement Technologies
A book edited by Dr. Steven John Thompson (Johns Hopkins University, USA, and University of Maryland University College, USA)

To be published by IGI Global: http://www.igi-global.com

Introduction

Society is struggling with issues regarding rapid advancements in Human Enhancement Technologies (HET), especially in terms of definition, effects, participation, regulation, and control. These are global matters that legislators must sufficiently address at some point, as was evidenced partly by debate within the 2008 European Parliament’s Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA), among other discussions; yet, relevance must not be relegated entirely to scientists, legislators, and lobbyists who may gain power and control at the expense of those parties most affected by these life-changing technologies. Since current and future HET initiatives should be in the best interests of those who will eventually participate, research into critical pragmatic elements of HET must expand beyond government and scientific experimentation for eventual societal adoption to incorporate deeper relevant inquiry from within the humanities.

Objective of the Book

While much of the realm of HET is in a state of growing experimentation, there is benefit to exploring ground that may be covered regarding universal concerns, ethics, objectives, and principles in aspects of HET as viewed through the humanities. This compendium will include contributions of professional researchers and others working with HET issues today and into the future. It will also provide a well-rounded composite of the HET field in emerging technologies.

Target Audience

The target audience of this book will be composed of researchers, graduate students, practitioners, and professionals in academe and the medical industry who should all find value in this publication. The recent surge in academic course offerings associated with the role of the body in the humanities and computer science will benefit, as will some persons engaged in a humanities approach to study of metasystems, new artificial life, and robotics. This book will merge some of the leading allied field voices regarding HET into a singular compelling voice of inquiry on the topic of human enhancement technology. Moreover, the book will provide insights and support executives concerned with the management of expertise, knowledge, information and organizational development in different types of work communities and environments.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Theory and Definition

• Body and Machine
• Cyborg Creation
• Enhancement and Modification
• Uses in Medicine and Science

Ethics and Philosophy

• Internet Brain Implants and Related Interfaces
• Human Rights and Requisite Modification
• Human Values and Freedom in Experimentation
• Safety Concerns

Policy and Regulation

• Control and Threat
• Corporations, Governments, and Military Axes
• Issues in Science, Technology, and Society

Digitality and Neuronics

• Access, Availability and Privilege
• Technological Production and Purposed Results
• Ubiquity

Levels of Participation

• Current Trends
• Freedom, Requisite Implementation and Universal Adoption
• Future and The Collective Hive

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before January 15, 2013, a 2-3 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concern of the proposed chapter. All authors of accepted proposals will be notified by April 1, 2013 about status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by May 15, 2013. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published in 2014 by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference,” “Business Science Reference,” and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com.

Important Dates

January 15, 2013:  Proposal Submission Deadline
April 1, 2013:  Notification of Acceptance
May 15, 2013:  Full Chapter Submission
July 15, 2013:  Review Results Returned
September 15, 2013:  Final Chapter Submission
October 30, 2013:  Final Publication Deadline

All inquiries and submissions are welcome electronically by Dr. Steven John Thompson (rhetor@jhu.edu)