Lorena Hernández Escobedo A01612222

Daniela Alejandra Ramírez Chemás A01612142

Acute Respiratory Infections

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a class of diseases that mainly target the
lungs and respiratory system. They consist of illnesses including the flu, pneumonia,
and bronchitis. These infections, which can be moderate to severe and occasionally
even fatal, are primarily brought on by viruses or bacteria.

On the other side, posthumanism is a philosophical and cultural movement that

questions conventional humanist notions about the character and limits of the human
being. It questions the conventional division between human and non-human beings
by examining the interactions between people, technology, and other living forms.

ARIs and posthumanism may not at first glance seem to have a direct connection
because one deals with medical disorders and the other with philosophical ideas.
Technological interventions: The exploration of human augmentation and the
integration of technology into human bodies are common aspects of posthumanism.
The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ARIs are all greatly aided by
technological advancements. We are better able to control and stop ARIs because of
developments in medical technology, including diagnostic tests, vaccinations, and
medicines.
Epidemiology and global health: A variety of factors, such as social, economic, and
environmental situations, have an impact on ARIs. The focus of posthumanism is on
a broader perspective that takes into account how interdependent people, animals,
and the environment are. This all-encompassing approach may be helpful in figuring
out how ARIs spread and creating efficient public health initiatives.
Bioethics and the interactions between humans and non-humans: Posthumanism
calls into question our moral responsibilities and ethical standards in regard to the
environment, animals, and other non-human beings. The prevalence and spread of
ARIs, such as animal-to-human transmissions of diseases (zoonotic illnesses), such
influenza viruses, emphasize the intricate connections between people, animals, and
the environment. Discussions on our responsibilities and the ethical implications of
our interactions can result from exploring these dynamics via a posthumanist
viewpoint.

Human resilience and fragility: ARIs cast doubt on the idea of human uniqueness by
bringing to light the frailty and susceptibility of human bodies. Our corporeal
existence, which involves accepting our limits and weaknesses, is something that
posthumanism invites us to acknowledge and participate with. We might analyze the
relationship between human health and the larger context of our existence by taking
ARIs into account within a posthumanist perspective.

● Haraway, D. (1991). Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of

Nature. Routledge.

In "The Reinvention of Nature," Donna Haraway investigates the relationship

between feminism, science, and technology. She questions conventional ideas of
nature and critiques the dualisms that separate humans from other animals, nature
from civilization, and culture from nature. Haraway suggests a different viewpoint
that recognizes the entanglements and connections between these categories.

Haraway created the term "cyborg" to refute conventional ideas about the human
body and identity. She contends that developments in science and technology have
eroded the distinction between people and machines, arguing that we are already
cyborgs who have integrated with technology, changing how we view ourselves and
how we interact with the environment.

Personally, I don't agree with her because I don't really believe that humans are
cyborgs but I think that we are so attached and in need of technology that it can be
possible that many people can believe that.

● Braidotti, R. (2013). The Posthuman. Polity Press.

The posthuman theory and its implications for how we interpret identity, embodiment,
and ethics in a digitally mediated environment are explored by Braidotti. She
examines how the posthuman challenges conventional humanist beliefs and offers
up new avenues for thinking about our relationships with technology, the
environment, and other forms of life by engaging with many philosophical positions
and cultural discourses.

The interconnection of human and non-human beings is emphasized in Braidotti's

work, which also challenges the boundaries that divide them. She thinks about how
new technologies, including genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, will affect
how we perceive subjectivity and the human condition. In order to investigate the
intricacies and ramifications of the posthuman situation, Braidotti employs an
interdisciplinary approach that integrates ideas from feminism, critical theory, and
cultural studies.
I agree with her because I think that we have reached a point where we lose our
human sense, that we let ourselves be guided by machines and technologies but
also these new technologies can help us a lot in order to prevent diseases, deaths,
etc.

● WHO. (2020). Acute Respiratory Infections (Fact Sheet). World Health

Organization. [Available online:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/acute-respiratory-infections]

ARIs are a group of infectious disorders that affect the respiratory system and can
impact both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, such as pneumonia and the
common cold. These infections may be brought on by pathogens such as bacteria,
fungus, viruses, or yeast.

Global Burden: ARIs pose a serious threat to global health, especially in low- and
middle-income nations. They are a major factor in many illnesses and fatalities,
especially in youngsters and senior citizens.

Transmission: ARIs can spread through a number of different channels, such as

direct contact with sick people, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces.
Airborne transmission is another way that certain illnesses may spread. Common
ARI symptoms include coughing, sneezing, sore throats, nasal congestion, fevers,
and breathing difficulties.

Obviously I completely agree with the WHO, for me, scientific knowledge is really
important in this class, I’ve learned a lot to open my mind but I also believe that we
need proof in order to believe that something will help or cure me.

● More, M., Vita-More, N., & Verstegen, D. (Eds.). (2014). The Transhumanist
Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and
Philosophy of the Human Future. Wiley-Blackwell.

Definitions and Concepts: The book discusses the definition and application of
transhumanism as well as the fundamental ideas that underpin it.

Technologies for Enhancement: This section examines how cutting-edge innovations

in genetic engineering, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology may
be used to improve human capabilities and lengthen lifespans.

Ethical and Social Implications: The book discusses themes including human dignity,
equality, access to enhancement technology, and potential social repercussions. It
also covers the ethical difficulties underlying transhumanist interventions.

The concept of posthumanism, which imagines a future in which people may

overcome their present biological constraints through significant technological
advancements or possibly merge with highly developed artificial intelligence, is
explored in the article "Posthuman Possibilities."

● World Health Organization: WHO. (2023). Influenza (Seasonal). www.who.int.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

● Rudan, I., Tomasković, L., Boschi-Pinto, C., & Campbell, H. (2004). Global
estimate of the incidence of clinical pneumonia among children under five
years of age. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 82(12), 895-903.

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