The Spectre of Globalized Biotechnological Exploitation in the Science Fiction of Muhammad Zafar Iqbal

Abstract

This article discusses select science fiction texts by the Bangladeshi author Muhammad Zafar Iqbal with reference to a recurring theme, namely, the globalized exploitation of Third World bodies. This article discusses how these texts demonize technological modifications of the human body and suggest a core of “human” sentiments as the guiding force for combating such biotechnological intervention. This article focuses on a few texts where two key plot elements are, (i) artificially and illegally manipulated human bodies, and, (ii) the surveillance of the central characters by ruthless, technologically superior First World actors and their local collaborators. The texts analyzed in detail are “Dr. Triple A” (2000), Prodigy (2011), and Animan (2014). In these texts, Iqbal reposes faith in a human exceptionalism that is predicated upon emotions and morality. He thus steers clear of Western philosophical trends such as posthumanism or transhumanism. This is borne out by these texts’ celebration of strong interpersonal attachments and selfless love, which help (morally and emotionally alert) underdogs engage with and ultimately defeat their self-centred, technologically advanced oppressors.