Human genetic enhancement.

Az · August 13, 2003, 16:00

So, would you like it?

Let's say that it is possible, via genetics, to make all humans good looking, desease-free, intelligent, and not sociopathic.

would you go for it? I certainly would.

Japher · August 13, 2003, 16:00

As long as there is still room for diversity... sure.

chequita guevara · August 13, 2003, 16:01

Only if it can be done outside the germ-line. If you can be enhanced after being born, great, otherwise I think it's a bad idea.

Bereta_Eder · August 13, 2003, 16:03

Nah...

mrmitchell · August 13, 2003, 16:03

Only if they want it (read, can afford it

).

Parents shouldn't be able to inflict it on their kids at their birth. The child should have a right to decide what it wants to be.

Much like plastic surgery is today--those who want it, afford it, and make their lives better for it.

One might say that it would create seperate classes in society...however, there are more men who like real ones than fake ones. Likewise, people who can't make with what they've gotten will probably be viewed as superficial ****s, thus decreasing the want to get it.

Az · August 13, 2003, 16:06

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Only if it can be done outside the germ-line. If you can be enhanced after being born, great, otherwise I think it's a bad idea.

many genetical deseases and deficiencies can be, retrovirally, others, cannot.

Oh, and btw, did I mention the various transgenic qualities we could be getting, like digesting cellulose?

Al B. Sure! · August 13, 2003, 16:09

if you make everybody perfect, being perfect will have no meaning...

Az · August 13, 2003, 16:11

On the contrary. It will give everyone equal, equally great opportunity for people to excell in life!

The Mad Monk · August 13, 2003, 16:11

No, imperfection will just have a new meaning.

Proteus_MST · August 13, 2003, 16:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Azazel
So, would you like it?

Let's say that it is possible, via genetics, to make all humans good looking, desease-free, intelligent, and not sociopathic.

would you go for it? I certainly would.

Thinking of Gattaca

Az · August 13, 2003, 16:18

Yeah, well, it depends on what you look at the story of Gattaca: I've never said that people should be treated according to their genetic lineage.

Think of the human effort such an endeavour would save, esp. if it would be available for everyone!

Maniac · August 13, 2003, 16:21

Quote:

Let's say that it is possible, via genetics, to make all humans not sociopathic. would you go for it?

Actually I like being a sociopath.

Az · August 13, 2003, 16:40

Quote:

Originally posted by The Mad Monk
No, imperfection will just have a new meaning.

Arrian · August 13, 2003, 16:43

Can I have a second ****?

-Arrian

Neutrino · August 13, 2003, 16:46

Given those benefits, yes. But when working at the genetic level, side effects are numerous and hard to predict.

Odin · August 13, 2003, 17:04

I want a higher metabolism so I can loose wieght.

BeBro · August 13, 2003, 17:13

I don´t need any enhancements

:) Smiley · August 13, 2003, 17:24

Let's make dancing bananas!

Combat Ingrid · August 13, 2003, 17:30

My future, genetically enhanced kids (the left is my daughter, the right is my son):

Oerdin · August 13, 2003, 17:33

I'd eliminate pattern baldness, myopia, diabeties, heart disease, cancer, and a host of other things. I don't know if it would be good to let parents choice the sex, hair or eye color, skin tones, or other no medical things though.

CerberusIV · August 13, 2003, 17:51

No, I don't think everyone wants to be me.

Az · August 13, 2003, 18:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Neutrino
Given those benefits, yes. But when working at the genetic level, side effects are numerous and hard to predict.

"I don't think we'll ever be able to fly"

The techniques are getting better and better, at an ever-increasing rate. I think this will be reality in around 30 years.

Sandman · August 13, 2003, 18:15

ONLY if it's available to every prospective parent, free of charge. Preferably on a global scale, but I'm willing to bend to put it at a national level. There should be no private means whatsoever. Otherwise we would run the risk of creating a genetic underclass, a possibility that is too dreadful to contemplate.

ONLY if it's sole focus is removing well-understood genetic defects, at the parent's consent, obviously. As I understand it, there should be no problem making sure my kids don't have my terrible vision.

It would eventually become illegal to deliberately have a genetically sick child, but not at first, and society would probably be reasonably accepting of such measures.

It should not be used on pointless measures, such as digesting cellulose. How many failures (read: deformed and mentally ill children) are acceptable? Why should we even consider something which could be abused in many monstrous ways (mindless 'workers', mutated sex slaves, pointless genetic fads and fashions). What sense is there in creating a whole bundle of potential competitors to the human race?

Oerdin · August 13, 2003, 18:17

I see this as the beginning of the designer children fad. It will most likely become another way which the wealthy can show how much better they are then the poor only they really will be genetically better.

Sandman · August 13, 2003, 18:17

I should add that I do support infant sex selection, if only to boost Europe's poor birth rate.

Japher · August 13, 2003, 18:24

Well, if your allowed to opt to defect your kid genetically (smoking, drinking, and drugs during pregnancy) than why not something to make them better (i.e. folic acid). Since, really, during development diet and vitamins genetically effect the unborn child...

Maniac · August 13, 2003, 18:27

Quote:

I should add that I do support infant sex selection, if only to boost Europe's poor birth rate.

Is there a shortage of boys or girls then?

Boris Godunov · August 13, 2003, 18:29

Brilliant. I can breed me a massive, 6'5" behemoth, who can drink beer from a pitcher as if it were a stein, to do all my evil bidding!

Whaleboy · August 13, 2003, 18:30

I'd eliminate A and B cups!

C0ckney · August 13, 2003, 18:31

to try and elimiate certain serious genetic disorders then a guarded yes. for things like intelligence, looks or even eliminating things like baldness and obessity, a definate no, it's just too much like playing god.

sandman, just out of interest, how would infant sex selection improve europe's birthrate, i was always our problem is people not having enough kids, not too many boys/girls?