We had a nice thread on evolution on here a while back and I thought I would revisit that topic, but take it in another direction.
The linked story describes a five year old with extraordinary muscle development due to a genetic mutation.
http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/nation_world_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2420_2984793,00.html
As scientists/doctors continue to develop the ability to 'tweak' genes to solve medical problems such as muscular dystrophy (something most sympathetic people would support) they will simultaneously develop the ability to tweak genes to create super-humans. Just as the same surgical procedures that allow us to repair damaged hearts and remove cancerous tumors allow us to create perfect breasts and noses, so to will our ability to turn off the 'retardation' gene allow us to turn on the 'extra-intelligent' gene. How long before any parent with a few extra thousand can not only have their child circumcised, but made strong, attractive, and brilliant before they leave the hospital (if not before they leave the womb)?
For those who haven't done much reading on the mapping of genes I highly recommend it. Scientists have discovered genes that control strength, speed, disease resistance, intelligence (across many dimensions), mental health, fight-or-flight impulse, initiative, and other characteristics we commonly associate with our traditional definition of 'free will'.
These changes would not meet the definition of true evolution (since these genetic tweakings would not be passed to off spring - although even that is readily conceivable) but it certainly marks a change in the future of humanity. What parent - were such techinques available - would not pay for such a procedure when failure to do so would leave his child unable to compete with the off spring of those who do? How quickly does it change from a bonus for children who receive such tweaking to cruelty towards those who do not?
Will liberals demand that the government fund such procedures for all children? Will religious fundamentalists demand it be outlawed and force such procedures underground and overseas? Will the Chinese get there first and rule the world? Will we find ourselves left behind by a generation of super-humans created 20 years from now? Will JT get there ahead of Lloyd Carr? Is Oh8ch over-reaching on the potential of genetic manipulation? The implications are fascinating. And it could realistically change the face of humanity in a single generation.
The linked story describes a five year old with extraordinary muscle development due to a genetic mutation.
http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/nation_world_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2420_2984793,00.html
As scientists/doctors continue to develop the ability to 'tweak' genes to solve medical problems such as muscular dystrophy (something most sympathetic people would support) they will simultaneously develop the ability to tweak genes to create super-humans. Just as the same surgical procedures that allow us to repair damaged hearts and remove cancerous tumors allow us to create perfect breasts and noses, so to will our ability to turn off the 'retardation' gene allow us to turn on the 'extra-intelligent' gene. How long before any parent with a few extra thousand can not only have their child circumcised, but made strong, attractive, and brilliant before they leave the hospital (if not before they leave the womb)?
For those who haven't done much reading on the mapping of genes I highly recommend it. Scientists have discovered genes that control strength, speed, disease resistance, intelligence (across many dimensions), mental health, fight-or-flight impulse, initiative, and other characteristics we commonly associate with our traditional definition of 'free will'.
These changes would not meet the definition of true evolution (since these genetic tweakings would not be passed to off spring - although even that is readily conceivable) but it certainly marks a change in the future of humanity. What parent - were such techinques available - would not pay for such a procedure when failure to do so would leave his child unable to compete with the off spring of those who do? How quickly does it change from a bonus for children who receive such tweaking to cruelty towards those who do not?
Will liberals demand that the government fund such procedures for all children? Will religious fundamentalists demand it be outlawed and force such procedures underground and overseas? Will the Chinese get there first and rule the world? Will we find ourselves left behind by a generation of super-humans created 20 years from now? Will JT get there ahead of Lloyd Carr? Is Oh8ch over-reaching on the potential of genetic manipulation? The implications are fascinating. And it could realistically change the face of humanity in a single generation.