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As I commented on another relevant link (Gwern's treatment of embryo screening): While this is a very exhaustive and eloquent argument in favor of embryo selec
by uniqueuid 5y ago
As I commented on another relevant link (Gwern's treatment of embryo screening):
While this is a very exhaustive and eloquent argument in favor of embryo selection, it seems that (at first glance) some important risks are not really addressed.
For example, what if social dysfunctionality is a function not only of individual intelligence but also of the distribution of intelligence across the population? There may be negative consequences from an overall upwards shift. (Crude analogy: Compare the discussion on the threat of a surplus of young males in societies).
What if the reported effects are non-linear, i.e. distinct between sub-mean and above-mean intelligence?
Given our extremely lacking understanding of how societies work in general (i.e.: financial markets, social unrest, individual happiness etc.), I am really hesitant to believe that we are able to anticipate even a tiny amount of such an approach's implications.
And, of course, embryo selection would violate several fundamental humanist values - would society need to penalize people for opting out? Are we confident enough in society's self-regulating mechanisms to trust that such an instrument would be always used ethically?
Interfering with children is so terrifying because the fallout lasts a hundred years. That calls for some more humility, I think.
- crate_barre 5y agoIt seems we are headed for level 2 of the abortion debate with stuff like this. Surely in the West we’ll have the open debate, but most of the world won’t. A place like China will do the most practical thing (practical vs humane). I can’t help but think of this Onion article: https://www.theonion.com/autistic-child-ruins-marriage-he-was-born-to-save-1819571355 https://www.theonion.com/autistic-child-ruins-marriage-he-wa... My body my choice will soon morph into ‘Our family, our choice’. I’m pro-choice for what it’s worth, but there are limits to all of this.