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Is it ever right to try to create a superior human being? (bbc.com)
3 points by pazimzadeh on Sept 25, 2015 | hide | past | favorite | 4 comments



An interesting question (which I would have phrased differently) but very weirdly written, going off into tangents about golems and the like.

Is it ever not right to try and make human beings better? And aren't we already doing it -- eg by aborting Down's Syndrome babies!


Agreed it is an interesting question. For example everyone wants there kids to do well in school to get a good job and be a success, but does that mean they are willing to give their children a brain implant that lets them access the web without a smartphone? How about genetherapy that boosts the level of dopamine in their system?

At some point we'll be able to do those things, and someone who has had those procedures might be at a competitive advantage over someone who hasn't. Do we democratize access or is it constrained only to the wealthy, who then insure their progreny will capture even more of the future wealth generated.

The line of questioning leads to what will be some very critical questions over the next 20 to 30 years.


And another issue: if we squeamishly restrict these things how will we compete against societies that don't?


Yes.




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