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?

Speakers

Simon Schultz

Bioengineer, Director of the Neural Coding Laboratory, Imperial College London

David James

Sports engineer at Sheffield Hallam University

Sarah Chan

Deputy Director of ISEI & Research Fellow in Bioethics, University of Manchester

Richard Hirons

Clinical expert in Ossur Prosthetics and maker of Jonnie Peacock's prosthetic leg