Posthuman Podiums

Butryn, T. M. (2003). "Posthuman Podiums: Cyborg Narratives of Elite Track and Field Athletes." Sociology of Sport Journal 20: 17-39. Butryn's empirical work on technological narratives is unique. He spends time investigating how athletes articulate their relationship to technology and, while in many instances, they speak about technology as being seamless from the natural sporting body, when it comes to 'body' modification, the distinctions are much clearer. Using performance enhnacements are described by these athletes as contrary to the personal integrity of their performances, though one might beg the question as to whether these views would persist, if it were not for the moral rhetoric that surrounds them.

Gene technology in elite sports, Sweden

International Conference on Gene Technology in Elite Sports,22/23 May, 2003 University of Sports at Stockholm,

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Gothenburg organises an international conference on gene technology in Elite Sports, in collaboration with the University of Sports at Stockholm, and the Center for Sport Studies in Gothenburg. The conference is supported by the Swedish Council of Medicine, section for Medicine.

The following persons have already confirmed their participation: Ruth Chadwick, Julian Savulescu, Torbjörn Tännsjö, Christian Munthe, Sigmund Loland (Norwegian University of Sports), Arne Ljungqvist (Wada and IOC), Bengt Saltin, Lincoln Alison.

For information about the conference, please contact Claudio Tamburrini

Australian Law Reforms Commission

The ALRC has just published its 1,000 page report on the legal aspects of using genetic information, 'Essentially Yours'. One entire section of this is dedicated to considering the legal/ethical aspects of how genetic info might be used in sport. The central concerns are whether sports authorities would be entitled to request such information and how it might be used as a way of excluding genetically risky people from participation. The report also highlights the prospect of identifying 'performance genes' and how these might also lead to new methods of talent identification. Selecting the next generation of elite winners might soon be based on a genetic profile rather than going out and watching kids play.

Prozac and the Post-human Politics of Cyborgs

Lewis, B. E. (2003). "Prozac and the Post-human Politics of Cyborgs." Journal of Medical Humanities 24(1/2): 49-63. Prozac has featured in a number of discussions about posthumanism. Along with a range of other psychopharmcological substances, it is described by many as transforming the social role of medicine. Here, Lewis discusses Donna Haraway's cyborg theory in the context of this drug that alleges to make us better than well.

Cyberfeminism and Artificial Life

Kember, S. (2003). Cyberfeminism and Artificial Life. London and New York, Routledge. Kember's work marks a new relationship between the study and theory of technological cultures. ALife signals a shift towards a fresh way of conceptualising the salient characteristics of humanness.