Off My Mind: Are the X-Men and Other Mutants Considered Human?

@Sobe Cin said:

Seriously, Marvel is trying to push the thought that Mutants aren't human so they can save money on taxes for incoming product. That is just so sad.

Agreed, but for the sake of discussion, if you don't think they are human then you would have to come up with what exactly mutant rights are and that's a huge can of worms in of itself. Who's to say what mutant rights encompass, human scientists, mutant scientists, laymen mutants, would they be both compared and contrasted with aliens in order to more strictly define what they are? This is a very thought-provoking article and I'm glad it was brought up again.

They are human to baseline humans can create a mutant. The Guthries made a dozen or so.

One gene difference no matter how illogical that is it should really be one controlling gene and lets say several 100 lesser genes to account for a large degree of variance that occurs does not make a new species.

Two humans can make a mutant.

A mutant and a human can make a mutant.

Biologically speaking, mutants are still humans. They are capable of having sex with non-mutants, and of producing reproductively-viable offspring. They are capable of existing in societies (a group of people living under commonly agreed upon values), which means they are also capable of meaningful "human" life. They still live by the same taboos and principles as we do, and the existence of mutants in itself does not pose a threat to society. Yes, there are some super-villains who are mutants. But there are also super-villains who are not mutants, while still being capable of the same kind of damage (Magneto/ Graviton). And there are non-mutants who are capable of that kind of devastation, too (Joseph Stalin with Ukrainians and Adolph Hitler with Jews). If someone wanted to argue that having powers makes you not-human, then that would mean that all super humans would need to be put into camps. And if someone wanted to argue that being a mutant makes you a monster then they would need to explain the hundreds upon hundreds of "human" monsters that have existed throughout history.

Just some food for thought.

@Spiderslike said:

I don't think Mutants should count at all as humans because to me they aren't philosophically. Genetically you may be able to say they are still humans just with a mutation, but to me like Magneto and Apocalypse say they are the next step after humans so they aren't humans. To me however this is a good thing because this means Mutants are above humans on the food chain. They shouldn't be held to the same standards as humans, but should be held to their own standards just as every society has it's own rules so to should Mutants. If I were a mutant I would never claim I'm human in anyway that would seem insulting like calling a person a dog.

This statement implies that all mutants are just naturally better then non-mutants. Not just in terms of having powers; it seems you me you are claiming that they are enlightened beings. Mutants are capable of great good and great evil, just like non-humans are. And they are capable of being irresponsible and stupid. So what is it, specifically, that makes them better than "humans"?

Mutants are Human's with powers, And they are Humans whos gene's "Evolved" alittle but that doesnt mean they arent human..., if someone gets supersmart that means he isnt human?!? .

I would consider them human. They might not be genetically identical to most mundane people, however human DNA evolves with each passing generation anyway. So, it's really nothing new. The difference is that their mutations were a leap in the basic genetic code of humans. Most of their family members are human, and they generally act, and feel the same as regular people. It's safe to say that to some extent, the mutants are very human.

A separation of humanity based on their genes? Imo, whether they are white, black, or fuzzy, they're still baseline human. When Wanda striped mutants of their x-gene, were there not hystericalhumans scurrying across your comic book panels?

@Spiderslike said:

I don't think Mutants should count at all as humans because to me they aren't philosophically. Genetically you may be able to say they are still humans just with a mutation, but to me like Magneto and Apocalypse say they are the next step after humans so they aren't humans. To me however this is a good thing because this means Mutants are above humans on the food chain. They shouldn't be held to the same standards as humans, but should be held to their own standards just as every society has it's own rules so to should Mutants. If I were a mutant I would never claim I'm human in anyway that would seem insulting like calling a person a dog.

@Spiderslike: Well, being a big believer in the fact that being a mutant is a genetic anomaly, I feel as if that would be like saying that all people who are color blind should have their own society. Granted, mutant powers are much cooler than being color blind, but my point is still there. What if you were on the flip side? What if you were an average human in a world mutants? Humans can still think, so I don't know how much you would enjoy being compared to a dog.

Mutants are Humans because they meet all the characteristics of a human but they have mutations or extra characteristics just like how some apes are homo-sapiens becuase they have have all characterisics of a homo-sapien it is all in how you define Human if lower your befinition of human than you can include apes,dogs,horses,dolphines if you elevate it you can include mutants either way don't be dick to people or animals that are different, define is to limit why would anyone possiblly want to limit humanity unless they were evil and wanting to conTROLL it.

They're human.We need to think of them that way because they are born to human parents. We don't even know how many there really are. The only mutants we concern ourselves with are the obvious i.e. those that are physically different or incredible power.If a mutant's "powers" only made them a good opera singer we would notice or care.The term Homo-Superior is the equivilent of a "Stud" vanity plate,Magneto made it up.If it meant anything wouldn't it apply to Steve Rogers or Reed Richards.

The question is valid but what you should ask yourself are Neanderthals considered apes? And to bring up the question of another commenter Reed Richards would not be considered homo-superior because he was born a homo sapien whereas say cyclops was born a mutant so to refer to my previous question it all comes down to what you believe a Neanderthal is if something is still the same animal despite an evolutionary leap then you can continue to refer to it as a human, in my personal opinion mutants are not human

How does one defend human? Biology, as stated before they follow the laws of the reproduction and heredity. But what makes someone human? Compassion for another person or species. Kurt is probably the best example of a human being. Despite his faults and appearance and genetics he has the compassion and love most people strive for. He's actually better at being human than most humans.

You don't really read the comics, do you? They plainly state that yes, they are human. HUMAN MUTANTS.

Not humans