I agree with the sentiment: people are too often regard as mere tools. But I believe (hope) the paper was a theoretical exercise. In the same way one might disc

I agree with the sentiment: people are too often regard as mere tools. But I believe (hope) the paper was a theoretical exercise. In the same way one might discover human flesh is nutritious. And I image no society (expect maybe China) would view the paper as a how-to manual. Rather than using this information to create a dystopian (and kinda click baity) future, it could be used to examine current social forces and make predictions and, ideally, prepare/compensate for them. Indeed it would be just as easy spin the paper in a multitude of ways. For example, one might use it to justify taxation earmarked to aid the rural poor by saying it's not only ethical but also efficient.