Prosthetics and bionics: Constructing the superhuman

At this Hot Topics event we debated whether novel technologies in prosthetics and bionics have the potential to provide superhuman capabilities.

Visions of paralympic heroes with enhanced limbs sparked the public imagination this summer. These new superhumans are the closest we have to Stan Lee's iconic Iron Man. They drive a new kind of human aesthetic, and a pride in being different. But how far have these technologies really taken us, and what are their future boundaries?

Would it be possible in future to expect cognitive and physical advancements that keep us adolescent fit even in our golden age? Should enhancing bionics ever be mandated at work if they make us safer or more efficient?