Super Humans = Plausible?

[Fight!]

Quite simply, is it possible to create a "Super Human" sometime in the future using genetic manipulation? And to what extent can one's abilities be enhanced over normal human beings?

[Nazgûl Killer]

I think we need to know a whole lot more about the brain to answer that, however, I do believe that the muscles/tissues in your body has a certain level in which they simply cannot function anymore.
(Try lifting a metric ton and a half weighing car, good luck )

[Tankfriend]

Try lifting a metric ton and a half weighing car, good luck

Well, there is the concept of "hysterical strength" around that says that humans are only using about 1/3 of their actual strength available. The other 2/3s are kind of "unlocked" in situations of severy hysteria or stress only, supposedly enabling persons to do exactly this and a bit more at the risk of severe damages to muscle tissue etc.
But as wiki says, the concept is not officially recognized by medical sciences and only has marginal anecdotal evidence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysterical_strength

It's interesting to see that there might be something more about us that we cannot use at will. If we were to suppose that this concept is actually true, "unlocking" the unavailable potential would be a way to superhuman power. Although it wouldn't be exactly superhuman by definition because everyone would have this power in a dormant state.

[Nazgûl Killer]

Well, there is the concept of "hysterical strength" around that says that humans are only using about 1/3 of their actual strength available. The other 2/3s are kind of "unlocked" in situations of severy hysteria or stress only, supposedly enabling persons to do exactly this and a bit more at the risk of severe damages to muscle tissue etc.
But as wiki says, the concept is not officially recognized by medical sciences and only has marginal anecdotal evidence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysterical_strength

It's interesting to see that there might be something more about us that we cannot use at will. If we were to suppose that this concept is actually true, "unlocking" the unavailable potential would be a way to superhuman power. Although it wouldn't be exactly superhuman by definition because everyone would have this power in a dormant state.

That's only a theory.
That so called "Hysterical Strength" could be addressed to Adrenaline and other special hormones that cause you to be afraid to create a moment of total lack of self awareness, utter struggle for survival, meaning blotting out all pain and boundaries inside your brain and doing things you did not think was possible, and break down into pieces once you're done.

I don't think anyone can argue with simple physics, and as I recall, it's mass x speed = strength, so, unless your body is pumping Adrenaline in massive proportions, I doubt you can do inhuman stuff.

However, I must say, that what I just stated is also kind-of a theory itself, however, many more agree on what I said, rather than your theory, for the simple reason that this theory has a more reasonable explanation than "We don't know why, but it happens!".
(No offense was intended by this post, I am sorry if you took offense as it was not my intention)

[Tankfriend]

That's only a theory.
That so called "Hysterical Strength" could be addressed to Adrenaline and other special hormones that cause you to be afraid to create a moment of total lack of self awareness, utter struggle for survival, meaning blotting out all pain and boundaries inside your brain and doing things you did not think was possible, and break down into pieces once you're done.

It's just a theory without scientific backup and I'm pretty far away from medical science anyway. So it's more in the area of "Interesting, but so what?". I just thought it might be interesting to mention it here as it is fitting the topic of theoretical superhuman abilities quite well.
So don't worry, no offense taken.

Technically speaking, if a human does something then that thing is no longer inhuman.

"Superhuman" is used in reference to the abilities of your "standard/ordinary" human. So if you can suddenly run at a speed of 100km/h, that's still a superhuman ability although you actually are human. If all or most humans can run at these speeds, it's no longer a superhuman ability because it's becoming a standard.

[cupoftea]

Hmm, if we want superhumans i think we'll have to look at human cyborgs, replacing some parts of the body with mechanical stuff like a better heart, better joints so they can take the musclemass.

[chamaeleo]

Superhumans would likely have shorter lifespans, as metabolic rate is linked to senescence. Live fast, die hard! They'd also need to sleep a lot to allow their cells to recoup from the strain of hurling VW Beetles, etc...

[DisgruntledGoat]

Is it genetically possible to have super humans... yes to a degree. Myostatin. Look up what some scientists have done to mice thanks to that lovely protein. Now several children have been born that have various myostatin deficiencies and scientists are looking for the gene that controls it. Once found it won't be unreasonable to think that we will be able to allow humans to grow muscles beyond what they can achieve through steroids and working out. Will they be able to lift a car or jump tall buildings. No. But its one step forward.

[awisler]

Technically speaking, if a human does something then that thing is no longer inhuman.

[Holger Danske]

Quite simply, is it possible to create a "Super Human" sometime in the future using genetic manipulation? And to what extent can one's abilities be enhanced over normal human beings?

What is your definition of a Super Human? Superman or Batman?

[Fight!]

What is your definition of a Super Human? Superman or Batman?

Anything defined as unnaturally strong. Batman was not superhuman, he just worked out almost obsessively. Superman was not superhuman either, he was an alien who was much stronger on earth for some reason.

[Lord Feloric's Ambassador]

You Humans doubt your own abilities. One can achieve almost any feat with years of training and hard work.

[CobraStallone]

One can achieve almost any feat with years of training and hard work.

No you can't

[Avendiel]

No you can't

[Trey]

Some would say they're already here.

[PurPul]

If anyone saw Popular Sciences Future Of on Science Channel (I did) it talked about how there is a gene(Myostatin) that hinders muscle growth. We have two copies, and if we elimenated this gene, we could be like this dog, who doesn't have any copies.

(real dog)

And there is a news story about a boy who is also deficient http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5278028/

[Kanaric]

One word.... cyborgs.


edit: WTF is with that dog? The dog fighters dream.

[A pimp named Slickback]

Creatine bro. The future is here.

[Ältester der Motten]

Why are we restricting this to strength?

It's overrated anyway.