Human Rights – The Challenge of New Technology

Abstract

Three important scientific developments, nuclear physics, biotechnology and informatics, have a profound potential to affect, improve or destroy human life. Many scientists are aware of these implications, but, the author argues, lawyers are not sufficiently involved in the debate about the effect of scientific progress on human rights. The present debate on human rights is still centered on those proposed by 17th-century philosophers. The role of the United Nations in the human rights debate is stressed, and relevant examples from other international discussions are cited. Telephone interception in the United Kingdom and the Canadian testing of us missiles are considered with reference to their legal implications for human rights. Legislatures, courts and the community must learn to address themselves to the fundamental questions of human rights, the author concludes.