Why Humans Should Be Genetically Engineering Their Children Now.
Check out this video:
With the advent of CRISPR genetic engineering technology, humanity is on the cusp of an evolutionary revolution. We now possess the technology to modify our own genetic code (DNA). In a few more years, it will become more reliable, less expensive, and more available.
That is, of course, assuming that governments don't outright ban the technology. We all know how successful government prohibition of technology or medical procedures (not very) has been, but that isn't to say they can't cause untold suffering in the meantime. How?
Assume for a moment that CRISPR (or its future technological offspring) allows us to modify our DNA to eliminate a specific disease that, if treated traditionally, would result in years of suffering or even death. It would be absolutely immoral for governments to withhold this technology in such a case. They would be directly causing human suffering.
So talk to your governments. Talk to the people around you. Let technology proceed in a careful way before supporting a ban on something you might not understand and that might help you or a loved one in the future with a disease that would cause a lifetime of suffering.
Now imagine that we can remove all those genetically-linked diseases in our children before they're even born.
Science for the win.
I am not sure the technology is there just yet, Cas9 needs a good 5-10 more years of R & D before people start editing their eggs and what not to make genetically modified children.
Will try to watch when I have a chance. As to the main point I think it is too soon for people to accept it - however it will probably happen eventually. The other alternative is actual use of CRISPR in life e.g. adults. It has already been done in animals and only a matter of time before it happens in humans. That might be a stealth method of getting people used to hit although to have maximum benefit it would be best done on the person as a single embryonic cell.
I've always wondered this. Most people today will swear there is no life after death. Let's pretend there is for a second. Would we want to live longer if the life after death was better than the life before death?