Results 1 to 20 of 25
Assuming we do not force people into doing something, should society promote voluntary eugenics policies? Not killing people of course, but, if a child could be born without a disability, or with a higher IQ, should this be encouraged?
In fact, one could argue that there is a moral obligation to genetical alter our future generations. After all, the improvement of the gene pool could save humanity from some inconvienent and sometimes even painful realities.
To me, this seems like a obvious choice - yes. However, something makes me hesitate. If children with problems (or disadvantages) are seeing other families provide their children with stronger muscles, faster legs, et cetera, will non-improved (for lack of a better word) individuals feel intrinsically inferior? Will this result in distinctions between individuals that results in a perpetuation of a capitalist society?
My last comment was streching quite far, but I want to provoke discussion. Even as I write this, I am uncertain as to whether or not the idea that certain individuals will feel inferior in a pro-eugenics society is true - do I have logical basis to suggest such a thing?
It's an interesting question
I think the breakthroughs that will allow surefire, easy gene alteration (namely targeted addition of genes and 100% effective gene delivery vectors) to people before their born will also allow gene alteration post-birth
so I actual think it could be a non-issue, people who wish to tak advantage of gene alteration could simply get their genes altered
"god means: "my invisible best friend" Comradered
Desu?
I'm not sure about alterinhg one's genetic material after birth - remember that you have billions of cells in your body, and I don't see them being changed quickly at all.
But yes, it should be possible to correct any problems in the womb such as Down's Syndrome. It doesn't really have anything to do with pseudoscientific nazi-esque eugenics programs.
The Human Progress Group
Does it follow that I reject all authority? Perish the thought. In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker - Mikhail Bakunin
Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains - Karl Marx
Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting. We allow them to disperse because we've been ignorant of their value - R. Buckminster Fuller
The important thing is not to be human but to be humane - Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
Check out my speculative fiction project: NOVA MUNDI
I wouldn't mind correcting problems before birth as I'm sure that future technology would allow for this.
These types of people have a higher chance of finding a mate so there is a grater chance that their genes will be proliferated.
I dont think the chance of a retard having children is less then an intelligent person. If anything a retard doesnt know how to use birth control. And a person who is just stupid probably doesnt either, and they are probably having sex earlier then intelligent people.
I'm saying that they have less of a chance to find a mate.
If they are that slow then they are probably not living a normal life but rather in an institution or other.
Not really, their emotional maturity is a bit slower.
"Retard"
You're an asshole.
Somatic therapy is the genetic manipulation of somatic post birth cells and has been around just as long a germline therapy.
Remember, somatic therapy targets specific groups of somatic cells and considering how rapid cells propagate, I doubt the time frame would be all that dramatic.
"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." - Albert Einstein
How am i an asshole? Just because i dont want to change the words i use every decade when they become offensive so i can be politically correct. Retard actually meens something, i wasnt using it as an insult.
And also i didnt meen the retard doesnt know how to put a condom on, i meant he is so stupid he wont put it on because he doesnt think of the risks.
Your post was extremely ignorant (I use the word hear to refer to a lack of knowledge). Many people without mental retardation cannot function on their own - aside from sexual assault, they aren't a worry for reproduction. Furthermore, those who can sustain themselves have difficulty maintaing relationships (as their linguistic abilities typically are low) and the prospects for intercourse are limited. Furthermore, mentally retarded individuals do not gang together with their ilk and mate to degenerate society. Some of them happen to form relationships because they have similiar intellectual levels, but, if they can survive on their own, a poor sexual education choice is more likely due to common stupidity rather than anything involving their condition.
Statistically, you may be correct that they have a higher chance of forgetting about protection or thinking they can get away with out it. After all, people with less intelligence are prone to less intelligence decisions. However, it is completely unjustified to generalize a population in such a way. Those people suffer enough.
You may say that my rephrasing of your views is "what you meant," but the use of language is important. It makes the difference between someone getting offended and someone agreeing with you.
I wasnt only talking about retards, i was talking about people with low iq's in general.
Again, you would be generalizing. The amount of children produced by low IQ individuals in comparison to high IQ individuals is higher. However, that does not mean they all act in such a way.
Furthermore, you claimed that less intelligent people have sex earlier. That is hard to say especially considering that more intellectual individuals reject religion and, consequently, have little reason to avoid sexual activity (assuming it is done safely).
So you wouldn't let them use condoms, you'd force them to be sterilised?
One question, would you still penalise "undesirables" for having children?
"The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos."
- H. L. Mencken
Anyone want a Gmail invite? PM me for one, I have 99 to give away.
Social Networking Through Music - Last.fm
What would you define as a 'low IQ'?
It also brings up the nature vs nurture argument. Had Bush been brought up in a home that encouraged learning and cherished knowledge, would he be quite as dense as he is now?
Personally, I'm leaning towards nurture in most cases. There a small minority of people who will be stupid throughout their lives, but you can usually spot them from a mile off. Most people are smart enough to hide their lack of education and critical thinking skills, unless they get into an argument.
The Human Progress Group
Does it follow that I reject all authority? Perish the thought. In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker - Mikhail Bakunin
Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains - Karl Marx
Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting. We allow them to disperse because we've been ignorant of their value - R. Buckminster Fuller
The important thing is not to be human but to be humane - Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
Check out my speculative fiction project: NOVA MUNDI
It's quite possible, I believe the method uses the body to naturally manufacture the gene after it's introduced.
<span style=\'color:green\'>
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
"It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets - Voltaire
</span>
Silly little twit; the word "retard" has never been anything other than an insult from some jerkoff like yourself.
"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." - Albert Einstein
"Mental retardation (also called mental handicap and the UK Mental Health Act (1983) defines mental impairment and severe mental impairment) is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills ("milestones") during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. One common criterion for diagnosis of mental retardation is a tested intelligence quotient (IQ) below 70."
<span style=\'color:green\'>
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
"It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets - Voltaire
</span>
Back on topic...
I had assumed mass gene engineering prior to birth would be predicated on the discovery of near 100% efficient delivery vectors that don't provoke immune response
Otherwise I don't know how easily convinced people would be to do it - since a vector without near 100% efficiency will mean engineering pre-birth is a gamble.
With a low cell count and each cell being progenitor of a variety of tissues a low chance of delivery of the gene you want will yield very random results as it would be possible the vector doesn't insert the gene at all or only to tissues that wouldn't benefit from it (anti-Alzheimers genes in your toes and not your brain won't help you)
And if the vector doesn't provoke an immune response you can just keep applying it until all the cells take in the gene
"god means: "my invisible best friend" Comradered
Desu?
As time progresses the human gene pool will become more unstable no mater what we do....
Nonsense. If it's broke, we can fix it.
The Human Progress Group
Does it follow that I reject all authority? Perish the thought. In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker - Mikhail Bakunin
Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains - Karl Marx
Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting. We allow them to disperse because we've been ignorant of their value - R. Buckminster Fuller
The important thing is not to be human but to be humane - Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
Check out my speculative fiction project: NOVA MUNDI
