The very notion and prospects for human enhancement have generated much criticism, controversy, and debate. Francis Fukuyama, for example, called transhumanism “the most dangerous idea in the world. Criticism of transhumanism and its proposals has two main forms (often complementary):
“practical” – objections to the achievability of transhumanism’s goals;
“ethical” – objections to the goals and ideas of transhumanism, the moral principles and worldview of those who support transhumanism or are transhumanists per se.
Critics often see the goals of transhumanists as a threat to universal human values, government social programs and the spread of civil rights and freedoms. One extreme argument is the juxtaposition of the goals (and sometimes the declared methods) of transhumanism with eugenic research.
Also, the problem of transhumanism can be seen as a problem of choosing the direction of human perfection. In contrast to the religious solution of this issue through self-improvement using the instrument of free will, i.e. improving memory, skills and abilities consistently and gradually along its path, transhumanism implies exogenous intervention, implantative upgrade on the physical level as well.
Criticism of the transhumanist program is often contained to some degree[source?] in works of fiction and fantasy films, which, however, often paint imaginary worlds rather than analyze the problem.
According to critics, the ideas of transhumanism are in conflict with their desired goals: for example, immortality will generate many of the problems considered in anti-utopias, such as overpopulation of the planet, a low social level, restrictions on freedoms. However, according to the proponents of transhumanism, all these problems can be solved by adequate social management, in particular by strict birth control, as well as by humanity’s expansion into space.
However, despite this, the Transhumanist Movement believes that most transhumanists are in favor of:
protection of individual human freedoms, strengthening the traditions of democracy
support for social programs to improve the educational system and the development of information technology
support for the development of better technologies and productions, and by doing so, solving the problem of poverty, solving the ecological crisis and improving people’s quality of life.