Former Nigerian president warns students against creating ‘artificial human beings’
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday warned Nigerian students to stay away from conducting research into embryonic stem cells, saying the sanctity of humanity must be preserved, local online website, Premium Times reports.
Speaking at a graduation at Baze University in Abuja, Jonathan said that scholars can make human activities become more efficient without necessarily altering the essence of man, the report said.
“It appears our classrooms have started creating individuals who function like robots, which is not good for humanity. Training should not be about efficiency and precision alone; it should also be about character and human dignity.” Mr Jonathan said
While delivering a speech to about 244 students at the ceremony, Mr. Jonathan urged the young generation to direct their energy into resolving the country’s multi-facetted challenges.
“The kind and quality of education we offer today will determine how our country will be governed, and how prosperous it will become tomorrow,” Mr. Jonathan said.
“This is because as young people, many of you sitting in the classrooms today will sit in various Government offices and boardrooms tomorrow, to govern our country.” He added
According to the report, Jonathan warned the students to refrain from scientific endeavours that could put their moral or religious strength into question, the report said.
“We are in an age when the talk of artificial intelligence evokes boundless passions, to the extent that our scientists are already tinkering with the idea of modifying human genes to create super humans.” He said
