Essay reveals Stephen Hawking predicted of 'superhumans’
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https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/14/stephen-hawking-predicted-new-race-of-superhumans-essays-reveal#img-1
The late physicist and author Prof Stephen Hawking has caused controversy by suggesting a new race of superhumans could develop from wealthy people choosing to edit their and their children’s DNA.
I think he likely influenced from Anti-GMO conspiracies during his final years.
I mean, he might be right.
Considering how detached and sociopathic rich peeps are it's not unreasonable to fear how things will be if there's a literally superior class of human in every way.
“I am sure that during this century, people will discover how to modify both intelligence and instincts such as aggression,” he wrote.
Can we not have a real life Khan please
It's a logical conclusion given the direction crispr, gene-editing and wealth-inequality is going.
Assuming humanity doesn't wipe itself out, I imagine that we'll almost certainly either digitise ourselves or edit our genes for superior traits over the next few centuries.
It's not that far fetched, but I don't think we're going to be getting gene-modded supersoldiers for at least a little while longer. China won't have half the compunctions the West will have, so it'll probably just become do or die.
It'll happen at some point its inevitable
Wealthy people is probably why humanity will die one way or the other. The lack of principles and accountability in society tells me as much.
In a perfect world, this would be used to erase humanity's flaws, such as racism, sexism, greed etc., increase our intelligence and thus our capability of overcoming potential future disasters, and make us able to work together as one global team. Maybe it could even be used to create people that are more resistant against the dangers of space travel and thus make it more realistic to colonize the galaxy.
In reality though, this will just be used as maliciously as possible.
Doubt genetic modification will make them bullet or shellproof, it ain't gonna be all over for the bog-standard squaddie, especially where numbers are concerned. Plus all that extra brawn is gonna have an adverse effect on their dietary requirements, for dubious benefit in the age of accurate rifle fire, artillery, and air support.
https://youtu.be/lP1cCjBkWZU
Yea, It take longer until more advanced gene editing to granted that new superpower-like ability.
Maybe but as long Genetic Editing kits are keep continue available enough for Middle class Biohackers to used them before if some superego CEO have begin interest on this Biotechnology and Government interference on this will hopefully not downright self-fulfilling prophecy.
Nietzsche was right, I suppose. However, he was incorrect in the fact that he believed we'd evolve into Superhumans - It seems like we're going to create them, instead.
a way to further the gap between the wealthy and the not...
Is there much reason to think this technology won't find it's way down the social ladder? Plastic surgery or laser eye surgery isn't exactly unattainable, just expensive, I could imagine middle and some lower class people saving up for the benefits of gene therapy, especially when they see things like people staying younger for longer.
Billions of people don't have access to something as basic as dental care what the fuck are you talking about
Well obviously I'm not saying the whole world, I just mean not limited in the same way owning a helicopter or mansion is. There's plenty of people on low/minimum wage around here that save up for cosmetic surgery instead of a holiday.
It's crazy to even think about what the future holds for humanity, specifically with gene-editing in mind.
If we were to truly master the technology, then the possibilities are limitless.
And nevermind all the people who can't "afford" it, because at a certain point the entire human race would be genetically-engineered with no "original" humans left anymore. Whatever works to ensure our continued survival, I suppose. It may not be a bad thing.
Tbh, in concept I'm not even against most of this kind of stuff. I'm more than willing to concede that there's so much about my genetics that is objectively bad, and given the choice between potentially passing down my issues to my offspring, or deleting those issues I think it would be amoral not to delete them. Literally just read this line here:
Great Ormond Street hospital for children in London has used gene editing to treat children with an otherwise incurable form of leukaemia.
Given the right approach to healthcare, body attitudes and regulation this could be amazing. The issue is how this technology will interact with existing social problems. It's sort of like Cyberpunk, basically: "what if technology evolved but human society didn't". Imagining how shitty we are today, and then giving us godlike powers is scary. But imagining a Star Trek-like society with these technologies and we all conclude it would be brilliant.
Maybe its time for a proper Communism to arise
Sorry to break your bubble, but all is according to the dark prophesies of the grim dark future of WH40K.
Well that’s why Biopunk subgenre existed to fit this purpose.
They will certainly try, I'm sure of that
Though there's only so many ways you can make a human "better"
And I bet in their vanity they will give themselves traits that are superficially more desirable but not beneficial.
While I have no proof, my gut tells me that the first cloned human will be some rich guy in a country like China who can pay the right people to cover it up and make it look like a normal child
Sooo megacorp CEO clans living in the upper atmosphere on artificial habitats when?
In Star trek, Gene editing led to superhumans that took over the world and enslaved humanity. Gene editing to improve one's abilities became illegal and those who had genetic modifications were discriminated against.
Yep, all in lore form of original continuity before 2009 half reboot film series.
Perhaps I should've been more clear knowing how pedantic people can be about star trek. My point is that gene editing can cut down on human suffering by getting rid of many diseases and disabilities, it's just with current societal attitudes, regulations and healthcare inequality it's more likely to be used to create and enslave an underclass of humanity. My interpretation is that Star Trek agrees with me on that.
The idea of genetic modification won't be applied to strength, too many people think of super soldier as Wolfenstein enemies when in reality you'll see increased endurance, higher metabolic efficiency and superior situational awareness before 350 pound machine gun weilding monsters
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