In Defense of Cyborg Athletes

That'd be a little discouraging... you know... training your whole life to be in the olympics and then having your butt handed to you by a cyborg who just happened to have money, good insurance or the drive to say "Cyborg's can, too!" I'd be a little upset and feel a bit worthless.

Is it really so appalling that amputees not compete in sports that require limbs? Every effort should be made to accommodate them in the world. But shouldn’t a foot race, at minimum, require feet? I emphasize their struggle to approach normalcy. Yet, I want to tell them there is just a limit, and this is it.

Like they have been hinting at, maybe now these limbs do not give you an advantage, but one day they can and will ( for those with enough cash) So if there is a time to draw a line it is now. If we cant have chemical enhancements then we shouldn't be able to have mechanical enhancements.

I agree with above, we need to draw the line now and say," no feet can't run in foot race."

If we don't we might start getting a new bread of cheaters.

This is why we need a completely open games where, as long it's not illegal in the country hosting the event, it's allowed. Cybernetic enhancement? Nootropics? Blood boosting? Go for it!

I'm only half joking.

As long as the intent is to get back to a level playing field, I'm for it. Using the term cyborg seems inaccurate. Passive devices should be scrutinized, but they can hardly turn the wearer into some kind of superbeing.

Certainly there will have to be standards, but that's the nature of the competition. This is just another facet to be examined. We've had chemicals, clothing, and now gene manipulation may be possible. As science advances, the possibilities also advance.

Winning will still take effort and dedication. If someone can use some reasonable tech to overcome issues due to birth or accident, I'm all for it. I think that the lasik analogy is quite apt.

All in all, I doubt that this is going to be a huge issue.
There are only so many people who can use these devices

Are amputees hotter than people with legs? The truth is that the Olympics is a commercial event will amputees attract viewers? I'd say yes so they will probably be allowed.

you realize that people with amputated legs have to train just as hard as other Olympic athletes. In fact, they have to develop some muscles more because of their prosthetic legs

I say have a naturalist and "non" naturalist divisions. Where standard humans compete to see who can push their bodies the farthest and then have people see who can use technology to push their bodies even faster! I think it'd be cool having a no-holds-barred whatever you can do to run faster competition. (strictly bipedal) Just go for it!

How many of you that have commented here have actually read the article by Aimee Mullins? I think she makes some valid points. You might not change your mind, but at least you'd be better informed of some of the issues raised here if you do read it.