Harvey Fineberg: Are we ready for neo-evolution?

http://www.ted.com Medical ethicist Harvey Fineberg shows us three paths forward for the ever-evolving human species: to stop evolving completely, to evolve naturally -- or to control the next steps of human evolution, using genetic modification, to make ourselves smarter, faster, better. Neo-evolution is within our grasp. What will we do with it?

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[FutileFreak]

This time we're doing it right, and it won't involve genocide!

:3

[mkmohr]

It's really interesting how a lot of people are arguing that only a small select group will have access to this kind of biotech. Sure in the first 10-20 years. But think about fx the mobile phones. Even very poor and remote people have it today. And if it's a 1000 dollars in some years, it could be less than a 100 soon and then less and then less. Come on people. expand your minds!

[RandyLahey911]

Sounds like Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park

[megamarsvin]

No, Hitler wanted forced breeding based on his personal preference for certain phenotypes and, of course, ethnic cleansing based on other of his personal preferences. If you think this is the same thing you're rather missing the point.

[Zalanoid]

And there is also an idea which says, that in the evolution of animals and of cvourse also plants for a period of time it has been much more effective to have other animals and plants. The most simple if you think about bees. Lots of plants ar unable to have seeds without them.

[Zalanoid]

It is called endosymbionism, or something like that, sorry my scientific english is very bad. I usually just watch star wars and other stuff.

[Zalanoid]

Yes, a giant superorgainsm, which has parts, that are working integrated and differentiated. Just have a look at nature itself. It is the true form of evolution. It is similar to the way, that plant cells evolved from the separate mitokondrium and the cloroplastis or however you call them in english.

[hazeltoblue]

Isn't this what Hitler wanted? It's called Eugenics, and it is being presented by a Jew...oh, the irony! Sounds to me like an utter denial of what we are actually capable of achieving without science and western medicine.

[Gr4yW0rld]

so, how much can we change our genes till... how do I put this nicely... our child no longer has our eyes?

How much change we change before we are no longer ourselves? or does it not matter?

Has society reached a point where its not about our genes and its just about improving the race as a whole?

adopt

[cookie5618]

surely gives me the creeps

[cookie5618]

gattaca

[Denchanter357]

a giant superorganism? you don't agree with natural evolution? are you an example of devolution?