A public debate has reignited long-standing divisions over transhumanism, a movement that promotes using technology to overcome ageing, disease and death.
Critics branded transhumanism a “death cult”, arguing it misunderstands what it means to be human and risks erasing core aspects of humanity.
The exchange took place on December 4 at the Institute of Art and Ideas’ “World’s Most Dangerous Idea” event in the United Kingdom.
Neuroscientist and philosopher Àlex Gómez-Marín described transhumanism as a pseudo-religion framed in technological language rather than a scientific project.
“I think transhumanism is a death cult, a pseudo-religion dressed in techno-scientific language whose goal is to extinct the human condition,” Gómez-Marín said.
He warned that the greatest danger lies not in individual technologies but in a worldview that prioritises technical control over human meaning and identity.
Gómez-Marín argued that many technology leaders understand innovation but lack grounding in anthropology and human experience.
Supporters of transhumanism rejected the characterisation, saying the movement is rooted in reducing suffering caused by biology.
Transhumanist advocate Zoltan Istvan defended the goal of extending human life as a humanitarian effort rather than a rejection of humanity.
“Most transhumanists believe ageing is a disease and we want to overcome it so people and their loved ones do not have to die,” Istvan said.
Istvan linked his position to personal loss, saying that death should not be passively accepted as inevitable.
The debate included philosophers and artificial intelligence researchers who raised ethical concerns about claims of digital immortality.
Philosopher Susan Schneider said she once identified as a transhumanist but now questions more extreme ideas.
“Uploading the brain would not give you immortality, because you would be killing yourself and creating a digital copy,” Schneider said.
Participants also discussed fears that transhumanist technologies could deepen inequality and benefit only the ultra-wealthy.
The discussion comes as advances in AI, biotechnology and longevity research accelerate global interest in human enhancement.
Observers say the debate reflects unresolved tensions between technological ambition and philosophical understanding of human life.