Some people are concerned about the ethical implications of biotechnology and bioengineering:
“Some biotechnologists are intent on pursuing radical biotechnologies — whether to eliminate disease, or as I expect to become the bigger, more remunerative draw, to create designer babies enhanced to be smarter, more beautiful, or otherwise made to order — regardless of the ethical questions.
“…
“Biotechnology companies and researchers are playing a game of ‘hide the ball’ here. They agree to ban or voluntarily refrain from doing that which can’t yet be done but conduct the very experiments necessary to learn how to do it.”
And one such potential avenue involves CRISPR technology.
“CRISPR, like most biotechnologies, is a double-edged sword. It can be used therapeutically to treat disease-causing genes, or it can be deployed eugenically to ‘enhance’ babies subjectively — to manipulate them as mere products — designed (theoretically) to order. In other words, a new regime of eugenics, but this time with near limitless capabilities.
“…
“This is the road to biotechnological anarchy.”
Such open ended experimentation need not result horrible results in society, but can, and ought, to be used for ethical purposes, and what is more ethical than genetically engineering catgirls suitable for domestic adoption… even if they are Ⓐ punk rockers!
A little mood music:
