Prof Manitza Kotzé’s current research is an extension of what she has been working on for years. She works between the two fields of Christian ethics and systematic theology, which aims to formulate an orderly, rational and coherent account of truths in a Christian-consistent whole. She is profoundly interested in the topic of developing biotechnology as a challenge to Christian ethics. She specifically looks at transhumanism, which is the belief that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology.
Transhumanism is an umbrella term involving various modern technologies, genetic manipulation and all other things that aim to enhance the human race. Of course, this poses challenges to Christian ethics and we are confronted with serious questions.
That is where Prof Kotzé comes in, with a systematic theology point of view, to address these questions. If a new technology is developed that can improve us as humans, we need to ask ourselves how we understand different doctrines. How do we view ourselves, the creation, sin, etc? Prof Kotze formulates responses to these questions from a Christian ethics perspective.
Prof Kotzé conducted her master’s study on stem cell research and the idea that, from a Christian point of view, it should not be done. Her concluding argument, however, was that certain reasons do justify stem cell research, but that it should not be done without control and without limits.
Though this remains an extremely complex debate, it depends on the motivation behind the research, and what it would be used for, i.e., whether for curative or therapeutic use, or for enhancement of the human race beyond what would be naturally possible.
In her doctorate, Prof Kotzé looked at the distinction between therapeutic use and enhancement in genetic manipulation specifically. Too often, genetic manipulation is used as a luxury, which again poses serious questions such as, who has access to this technology? Who can afford it?
This is particularly relevant within the South African context. Is it responsible to develop and use technology that can make people smarter, prettier, stronger, etc., while a large percentage of the South African population does not even have resources to maintain basic health? These questions need to be asked, and Prof Kotzé is the only South African theologist who has extensively published on transhumanism from a Christian theology and Christian ethics perspective.
In 2016, she received her first fulltime academic appointment at the North-West University (NWU). Her postdoctoral research was conducted specifically on genetic manipulation of food, where she asked and responded to the same types of questions. Should it be done? In terms of technology, should we do everything we can with everything that is available to us? From a Christian perspective, most would say no, but Prof Kotzé is dedicated to responding to the “why not?”. At what point do things go too far and on what grounds do we say that not all technology is responsible and should be developed?
Prof Kotzé could argue that her work also falls within a third field called public theology. Scientists are often outspoken about the fact that, in their opinion, no ethicist should have a say, as they merely obstruct research and hamper advancement. In Christian theology, for example, we talk about concepts like worthiness, but this is simply too abstract in science. The challenge is posed when Christian theologists need to formulate their arguments on debates in public theology and express them in terms that the secular society, including people with different religious beliefs, which do not necessarily agree with Christian theological doctrines, would listen to.
Prof Kotzé is currently in the process of writing a book on this topic, which she hopes to finish within the next three years. She considers these questions from the perspective of liberation theology, which was developed in South America and looks specifically at the voice of the poor. This is particularly important within the South African context.
Again, questions must be asked, such as who would have access to the developed technology? Who controls what technology should be developed? What human features should be enhanced and who decides that? Considering the inequality in our country, it is important to address these questions from different theological paradigms, including liberation theology.
Biotechnology often develops faster than it can be ethically considered. For example, a week or two ago, in the news, we learned about the development of synthetic embryos. In general ethics, and in Christian ethics specifically, we often wait until technology becomes commercially available and then suddenly respond with whether we think it is a good or a bad thing. We react to it late, when the average person is already using that technology.
Prof Kotze’s goal is to see a shift in this regard, where technology is considered and questions are asked before it becomes commercially available. Should we change our way of thinking regarding how we see ourselves as humans? Is there reason to say that some of these technologies should not be developed? We need to consider these things proactively, in order to make informed decisions as to whether or not it should be developed and used.
