The transhumanists who are ‘upgrading’ their bodies

BBC

Fraser Gillan

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Winter Mraz says she loves having her keys in her hand but she does not mean holding them. She has actually had her door key implanted into her left hand in the form of a microchip.

In her right hand, she has had another microchip implant that acts as her business card but could also be used to store important medical information for use in the case of an emergency.

The 31-year-old engineer also has a magnet in one finger that allows her to sense electro-magnetic fields, which she says helps in her work.

But not all her body upgrades are practical. Her latest procedure is to have two LED implants, that turn on when a magnet is passed above them, illuminating her skin from inside.

Why? “Because they are sparkly and I’m a magpie,” she says. “I like things that light up.”

Winter is one of a growing number of people who call themselves “transhumanists”.

It is the belief that the humans can improve beyond their physical and mental limitations and “upgrade” their bodies by incorporating technology. . . . [Full Text]