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Welcome to “Prosthetic Gods,” the podcast where bioethicist James Hughes and philosopher Nir Eisikovits engage in spirited debates on the ethics and politics of emerging technologies. Hughes, a pro-technology transhumanist, and Eisikovits, with his Luddite stance, explore topics from brain-computer interfaces to artificial intelligence. Tune in and explore the promise and perils of technological advancements with us!
Episodes
6 days ago
6 days ago
Episode 42 - Who Really Needs Ozempic Anyway?
This week on Prosthetic Gods, Nir and J discuss the tradeoffs of GLP1 drugs. Their use has reversed the obesity epidemic and has proven to have myriad medical and psychological benefits. But they also come with risks, and are seen as a technofix replacing the need for diets. Are GLP1s another step to the posthuman body, and is that a good or bad thing?
Errata: The first GLP1s were approved by the FDA in 2005, semaglutide/Ozempic in 2017, and oral orforglipron/Foundayo was approved in April 2026. More than two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese by BMI, and 40% are obese.
Show Notes:
GLP-1s Are a Lot Weirder Than Anyone Thought | The Ezra Klein Show
Ethical Considerations in the Use of Weight Loss Medications
The Ethics of Ozempic and Wegovy
WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity
Review of 64 studies finds GLP1s effective for weight loss for almost all groups
As always, listeners can contact us at prostheticgods@gmail.com with questions, comments, and suggestions for future topics.
Credits:
Hosted by James Hughes and Nir Eisikovits
Music & Production by Jake Burley
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