Futurists Look at Bio-engineering Human Beings at Annual Conference
June 10, 2009
The race for biomedical and genetic enhancement will-in the twenty-first century-be what the space race was in the previous century, according to members of the World Future Society. Scientists can already screen fertilized human eggs for 1,000 genetic disorders. Within a decade, researchers will be able to detect most of the world’s congenital diseases in the embryo; this could will enable humans to live to ages of two hundred years old. Some genetics expert predict science will soon be able to genetically “enhance” embryos with the potential for super-intelligence, phenomenal strength, or preternatural ability. What is possible? What are the moral and ethical implications of these new technologies? (PR Leap)
