The major course that I teach, Human Anatomy and Physiology, deals with the basic science of human biology. One of the sub-subjects, along side basic human biology topics, is the topic of technology. The development of technologies that first allow us to learn about human biology, then allow us to manipulate that biology.

I am interested in anticipating how cutting edge technologies, such as bionic engineering and genetic engineering, will develop and be used to alter our physical and mental being, and how these invasive technologies will merge human kind with science in such a way as to merge biological man with machines and ideas of his own creation. And further, how this will alter our culture, from mere personal relationships, to nation states, to religion.

These considerations revived my earlier interests in Science Fiction, a type of speculative fiction that deals with the "anthropology of the future" to quote Joan Vinge. My interest in science fiction has followed several themes. The most important of these being how the course of our history will be altered by whatever we do to ourselves, through bionic and genetic engineering, or by what we do, or fail to do, to heal the wounds we have inflicted on our home planet. I examine the ideas put forth by other writers and philosophers, as well as integrate some of my own ideas with theirs, and present this in a University Seminar course (USEM 180: Science Fiction and Environmental Literacy), whose purpose is to educate and seek the opinions and thoughtful ideas of students, who come from a wide range of backgrounds.