Calvin R. Mercer

Professor of Religion at East Carolina University, Dr. Mercer writes widely about the Bible and other topics in religion. In recent years his focus has been on helping faith communities and other groups understand how artificial intelligence, robotics, genetic engineering, and other breakthrough technologies are going to radically change our bodies, emotions, minds, morals, and spirituality. He is a leader in evaluating these transhumanist programs, with particular attention to whole brain emulation (mind-uploading), cryonics, and efforts to terminate aging in the human species. A textbook for colleges and faith communities is RELIGION AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL FUTURE--AN INTRODUCTION TO BIOHACKING, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND TRANSHUMANISM--https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030623586. After serving a decade in municipal elected office, he works to engage citizens and youth in their government. He has written a number of books for adults and says coauthoring a children’s book about how laws are made is a highlight of his career. Dr. Mercer speaks widely on subjects of his books. Contact him at mercerc@ecu.edu. Check out www.BrightBooks.org and https://religionprogram.ecu.edu/calvin-mercer-phd/