InTheEndEntropyWins t1_jea2bxm wrote
Reply to comment by KermitMadMan in Selected before birth | Embryo risk screening could lower the odds of illnesses ranging from depression to diabetes, but poses ethical problems by ADefiniteDescription
Wasn't that genetic engineering to improve the genes rather than selecting from the "best" gene combo?
ctrl_alt_excrete t1_jea67s0 wrote
It was, but the implications are similar. Essentially, this process would likely only be available to those who can afford it, leaving those with lower incomes to actually become objectively inferior to the upper class and furthering to enlarge the already huge class divide.
Johnny_Fuckface t1_jeankp4 wrote
It's more likely that this will be used to screen for disease more than anything. Our concept of what genes result in what positive traits we have is shaky. Often a subtle combo of various interactions.
PragmaticBodhisattva t1_jeap1vo wrote
If only the rich have the ability to be screened for diseases, that puts those who can’t afford this at a massive disadvantage. The inequity would be stark. I have a disability due to chronic illness and I am treated as sub-human by (far too many of) those with the means to be able to afford treatments etc. Disability payments allow for next to no quality of life. This would be disastrous if only those with wealth could access it.
TuvixWasMurderedR1P t1_jeb7bup wrote
And we all know that wealth will greatly determine access, especially while the tech is new.
Frankly, this all is way too close to eugenics for me to be comfortable with it.
PragmaticBodhisattva t1_jebbroo wrote
This is how I feel about AI technology right now, too. What happens when those with capital have access to AI to boost their economic output, and everyone else who might have been working more menial jobs are replaced by AI? This has been haunting me recently, especially with AI companies firing their AI ethics teams…
Johnny_Fuckface t1_jef7mgg wrote
Yeah, but at some point it's gonna get cheap enough.
PragmaticBodhisattva t1_jeffabi wrote
I think you are missing the point of the rising inequality gap.
Johnny_Fuckface t1_jefrdp6 wrote
No, I get it. But I think filtering useful tech because of human stupidity and greed when, as a culture we're too complacent to do anything about human stupidity and greed, isn't technology's fault.
KermitMadMan t1_jea2lga wrote
it’s been so long since I saw it that I’m not sure.
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