"News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a step toward creating "designer babies."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_he_me/modified_embryo

What is odd is this.....

"Some people find that notion repugnant, saying it turns children into designed objects, and would create an unequal society where some people are genetically enriched while others would be considered inferior."

We already have an unequal society where a few have really good genes. So wouldn't making a thing like this common, even out the playing field some more?

Gattaca will be real life soon. Awesome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_New_World

http://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-World-Aldous-Huxley/dp/0060929871

The consequences will be disastrous. If capitalism has taken our identity away, this is going to eventually create a new one.

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All I can think of when I hear this is Gattaca, and a step closer to A Brave New World.

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"News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a step toward creating "designer babies."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_he_me/modified_embryo

What is odd is this.....

"Some people find that notion repugnant, saying it turns children into designed objects, and would create an unequal society where some people are genetically enriched while others would be considered inferior."

We already have an unequal society where a few have really good genes. So wouldn't making a thing like this common, even out the playing field some more?

Gattaca will be real life soon. Awesome.

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You say awesome but you have no idea what this will cause.

Whats to say that governments wont genetically modify humans to satisfy mundane jobs like garbage cleaners etc?

Every person will be genetically grown into a specific class of society accordingly.

Think about it. The genetically insuperior will not, and basically be forced not to, interact with the genetically superior. Then, whats to satisfy the genetically inferior? How do you make sure these dullards are happy, and keep their spirits up. And keep and reinforce their purpose in society? This needs to be satisfied.

I think your "awesome" is a bit premature, and I dont believe you have fully appreciated the consequences of taking this technology further.

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All I can think of when I hear this is Gattaca, and a step closer to A Brave New World.

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Yeah? You left out my "The consequences will be disastrous. If capitalism has taken our identity away, this is going to eventually create a new one." bla bla bla????

And that was the best piece

Medical doctors are in the business of saving lives and treating the ill. So it's likely that doctors would genetically alter an embryo at severe risk of a disease or retardation.

For stuff like shaping a child into society, that would likely just be the adult's choice. And it'd probably be similar in set-up to going to a plastic surgeon. You want your kid to have blonde hair, blue eyes, and be really smart, so you pay a bit extra by going to one of those geneticists.

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I don't think we can slippery slope into a dystopia.

Medical doctors are in the business of saving lives and treating the ill. So it's likely that doctors would genetically alter an embryo at severe risk of a disease or retardation.

For stuff like shaping a child into society, that would likely just be the adult's choice. And it'd probably be similar in set-up to going to a plastic surgeon. You want your kid to have blonde hair, blue eyes, and be really smart, so you pay a bit extra by going to one of those geneticists.

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And what if every person wants their kids to be really smart? We all cant be smart can we?

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And what if every person wants their kids to be really smart? We all cant be smart can we?

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Well in our capitalist society, I imagine money would be a big thing.

So you pay a ton for your kid to have a 200 IQ and not so much for a 150 IQ.

So the same problems associated with economics would exist. Might be more pronounced though. But with this emergence of super smart and healthy people, we don't know if maybe lots of good can come of it.

However, as a moderately well-learned person, I see no imminent threat to my relevance in the world.