Along with the word ‘eco-friendly’ the word ‘biodegradability’ has become the marketing key for any industrial product. We should not be surprised if one day they scribble these two words on nuclear bombs and missiles in the competitive international weapon market.

Human beings have always been seeking Amrit, the elixir of immortality. Although we humans call ourselves Martya or mortal we like to give names like Amartya or Amrita to our beloved children! What a longing for immortality! The legendary Upanishadic sage Yajnavalkya divided his material wealth between his two wives. One of them, Katyayani, was very pleased to get her share. The other one, Maitreyi, asked her husband: ‘Does this wealth bring me immortality?’ ‘No’, said the sage. ‘Then what should I do with things that do not give me immortality?’ quizzed the learned lady.

Nobel laureate Indian economist Amartya Sen says Maitrey’s question had influenced his reflections on economic theory and practise. Remember the rich young man who earnestly asked Jesus how he could inherit immortal life, and the radically shocking answer Jesus the homeless gave him: ‘Go, give away all your wealth and then follow me.’ He went away sad, says the Bible. Armed with Artificial Intelligence, Genome sequencing, gene editing and biotechnology moves ahead to create super humans and perfect designer babies out of ordinary mortals. Methuselah the legendary biblical giant who lived 969 years seems to be the target hero for our Enhancement technologies. However, the Corona pandemic seems to drive home the immediacy of the perennial question of death and decay. It can’t be answered simply at the material realm only, but we need to get glimpses of what lies beyond -in faith, hope and love.∎