Harvard Prof. Michael Sandel on Human Genetic Modification, Berkeley, CA, 7 May 2007

[htddu908]

@ThePlatoon4 I study criminal justice, so I am aware of the factors that surrounds intelligence. Nough said. Stop being so liberal you fucking hipster.

[hugga4u]

@happyghost2011 LOL you're a moron.

[ThePlatoon4]

messing with our DNA doesnt sound like a good idea. its not natural.

but thats just me

[Lowfun]

@ThePlatoon4 I agree with you but at the same time. If humans where given the ability and understandment of how to alter dna would this knowledge not represent a " natural" growth of humans?

The knowledge was given to us therefore it's natural.

./shrug , i just read your statment and that thought came to me.

[jake8837]

@ThePlatoon4 Miniature golf is not natural. Do you oppose mini golf?

[ThePlatoon4]

@jake8837 mini golf doesnt breed a new species -.-

[htddu908]

I think we need genetic engineering because everyone that is mating today has an IQ of less than 70.

[ThePlatoon4]

@htddu908 intelligence is not something your born with, its something you've earned.

ex:no matter how dumb you are you wouldnt cut off your foot twice(besides mental sickness)

[TrinketStarFire]

Im waiting for the Twightlight Zone episode ( LIfe imitating art ) where we get to choose from like 5 body types lol, and get our minds transferred into them. Designer babies ? you betcha. Regenerated or cloned people ? Absolutely. Anyone who thinks "progress" will not steamroll over morality is sniffing too much glue ! LOLZ

[TrinketStarFire]

Im waiting for the Twightlight Zone episode ( LIfe imitating art )  where we get to choose from like 5 body types lol, and get our minds transferred into them. Designer babies ? you betcha. Regenerated or cloned people ? Absolutely. Anyone who thins "progress" will not steamroll over morality is sniffing too much glue ! LOLZ

[projectbrumaire]

Genetic engineering to stop sickness? Sure. Eye color? Whatever. But immortality? Super intelligence? Beauty?

Death is what makes life so precious, its scarcity is its value, just like in economics.

Men love to learn, just like birds love to sing, we literally have chemical reactions in our brains at AHA! moments, cheating cuts it off.

Beauty? If everyone is beautiful no one is.

Its the effort, the anticipation, the long hours working at what you want, that make it so valuable.

[MasterDarkarbiter]

Well I guess the thing with the senses is... blind people can hear better, and deaf people might even be able to see better. So it's not just taking something away. It's not just like someone who can't walk.

[bravdos]

I feel that if you do not agree with it, than dont do it. But if you ARE for it, than go ahead. Why can we not just do it if we want to or not do it if we dont want to? Why do we need to go all one way or the other?

[deceiver123m]

BOOOO eugenics

[cray32]

@smallen642 you are dangerous, very dangerous way of thinking.....i hope you will never get into political office

[MrJoelpan]

What if we create these beings and they grow up and decide that they don't like us? Bite the hand that feeds scneario. Or an alpha, beta, gamma, brave new world scenario? Who gets to decide whos going to be what? Government control over this? I think not. There would be an army of brainwashed, blond haired, blue eyed killers in a matter of years. What do you do with mistakes or genetic rejects? We have to have control of our governing bodies before we tread here.

[echo676]

These are predominantly due to the media.

[lee155912000]

Choosing sex I don't think is a good idea especially for places who hold men above women or vis versa.

Although I'm sure there would be regulations on what could and couldn't be done. How would people go about enforcing these regulations globally?

I just don't want to see this get out of hand in the future. Any problem that gets out of hand can't just be erased because we are talking about human life.

[gertcuykens]

Lets put it this way, who will likely screw things up first. Humans or evolution? We tenth to do things that end up badly because of or selfish instinct. How many species did we destroyed already by just living on this planned? Yes you can fix some genetic code but please make sure it is actually broken.

[Bobin1007]

Designer baby will be having Designer cloths  to wear also what a match.

Y not a designer parents for orphan kids

[merdufer]

The problem is that although we may find distinct genes for certain disabilities, there are no distinct gene for things like violence or greed. These are whole categories of complex human behaviors determined by many factors, both genetic and social. Modifying related genes can lead to unforeseen, and most likely unfortunate results.

Even modifying physical attributes can have such problems. For example, the gene for sickle cell blood disorder also helps resist malaria. It's a risky business.

[merdufer]

LOL those people who object "designing" a baby don't seem to realize that choosing a spouse is also partially an act that "designs" a baby.

I personally think it's ok to engineer genetically without upsetting the current social structure.

Sex selection: not a good idea.

Intentionally making a disabled child: rather selfish.

Hair color: no thanks I don't want to see blonds everywhere in certain shallow communities.

Fixing disability: If it's reliable, I'm all for it.

[avantibarbari]

Genetic engineering threatens not only to fix disabilities, but to engineer super-humans.

[K3v1nPr0]

@avantibarbari is that really a threat?

[ironmantis24]

@avantibarbari

is only good to engineer superior humans if everyone does it, aka socialism. If only the rich can afford it, then there would be an inequality between the genetically superior rich, and the enhanced poor.

[justiceistobe]

@merdufer

Yes, your spouse is 'a choice' but largely due to chance - same with the resulting child. You have to give your reasons as to why GE is in one way good and another bad that goes beyond personal preferences/arbitrary assertions or the inevitable result is all is permitted.

Most disturbing is that we are called to define what it means to be 'healthy' and 'normal' which holds real consequences for the future and the social structure you assert won't be upset.