Numerous studies in the past two years show that CRISPR-based interventions can correct mutations and restore cellular and behavioral function in mouse models of brain diseases. Diseases caused by mutations in genes associated with brain functions - like alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), Huntington’s disease, and Friedreich’s ataxia- have seen major improvements in mice that have had their brains gene edited.
This raises a fascinating possibility - what if this gene editing could go beyond correcting diseases? What if you could get an IQ boost of 20-30 points? For obvious reasons, this would be huge for people on a personal level, but it would also have political effects. What would society be like if everyone were 30 IQ points smarter?
If everyone gains 30 IQ points, nobody gains 30 IQ points. That’s how indices work.
I mean, sure…
They readjust 100 once drift becomes noticable and it’s not the average result anymore.
But an IQ tests are still quantifiable and a hypothetical where everyone would score 30 points higher on the current scale is still worthwhile.
Or, we could just provide everyone with a good education.
That’s very ignorant of basic biology. You should read the citations here: https://maximiliankohler.blogspot.com/2020/08/why-im-voting-for-one-of-two-senile-old.html
Maybe you can link them directly so I don’t have to sift through your shitty blog? At a glance, if your argument is that we should also have initiatives to increase the health of everybody, than I agree, and don’t need some smug asshole putting words in my mouth.
Watch the movie Gattaca, there’s your answer. Basically a two-class society between richt edited people and poor natural-born people who would be even more disadvantaged.
If we could magically snap our collective fingers and everyone become smarter? Sure, probably good for society.
But what’s definitely incredibly toxic for society would be to pay-wall these sort of advances to the rich, creating a semi-human racial offshoot being constantly told that they are better, smarter and wealthier than any other human. Only new flavors of racism, apartheid and ethnic cleanings follow.
That is absolutely what would happen.
IQ tests are a scam and are rooted in Eugenics. They are also heavily skewed when the takers are poor and malnourished.
People arent born “stupid”. They lack access to health and education.
When getting on your personal yacht, how many attendees are needed?
The news industry would collapse overnight as their entire customer base suddenly realizes “Hey! This is all just alarmist BS and straight up lies! Look at this, the headline isn’t even CLOSE to depicting the reality of the situation. You’d have to be a complete fucking idiot to fall for this crap!”
I, for one, welcome our new super-intelligent rodent overlords
New technology will not solve issues unless we have the political will to ensure it will help everyone.
Such technology is worthless or potentially actively harmful until we deal with the social disasters currently occurring.
I honestly think that indifference and lack of learning is holding us further back than biology is. But maybe we’d have somewhat of an easier time if critical thinking came easier to people.
Kind of whataboutism from my side… But won’t healthy (and enough) food for kids, education and opportunities provide an IQ boost? I guess we could do a noticeable increase if we wanted…
Would this be the start of the eugenics wars?
This widespread, and seemingly sole focus on genes is ignorant.
We think we’ll turn ourselves into superhumans with gene editing, and worry about the societal implications and potential uses for evil.
But, the world is dumb. I suspect we’ll actually turn ourselves into figurative pugs or Gros Michel bananas given the chance.
Edit: Which is also really bad.
what could possibly go wrong
way fewer kids till wealth inequality was reduced to reasonable levels.
