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.
