Agbolade Omowole speaks alongside Martine Rothblatt, Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, others on emerging technologies

A social and philosophical movement that is predicated on the use of emerging technologies to enhance human beings, holds significant hope for the African continent because the current state of the region is largely due to the prevailing bio- and technoscientific politics. 

Emerging technologies have the potential to reposition African countries to emerge and sustainably tackle its numerous problems and multifaceted challenges including hunger and malnutrition, poverty, diseases, and general underdevelopment. 

The symposium “Transhumanism and Africa” is co-organized by Leo Igwe from the University of Cape Town and Stefan Lorenz Sorgner from John Cabot University of Rome to discuss the future of Africa and how it ca  leverage human enhancement technologies.

Other speakers at the event include Martine Rothblatt, one of America’s richest self-made women and CEO of United Therapeutics, Leo Igwe, Nigerian human rights advocate and humanist, Ojochogwu Abdul, philosopher and university lecturer, Aubrey de Grey, English author, biomedical gerontologist and Mathematician, Thomas F. DeFrantz, Research Professor in the Department of African and African American Studies, Duke University, USA, Dr Bernd Kleine-Gunk, head of the German Society for Anti-Aging Medicine, and Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, German metahumanist philosopher and Nietzsche scholar.

Speaking at the conference Agbolade Omowole spoke ok the topic “the impact of religion on radical science in Africa.” He highlighted the need to be logical in analysing problems and providing solutions. He cited sickle cell anemia as an example of how knowledge gaps can pull back economic development. 

Abiku is a Yoruba word that can be translated as “predestined to death.” The Yorubas believed that the Abuku has a very short life and can reincarnate after death. Abiku continued to be a mystery because of the ignorance of the sickle cell anaemia. From history, we can learn to expand our horizons and embrace science. He encourage everyone in Africa to embrace science.