Scientist Predicts Eugenic Society in 5 Years?

by ~ The Rebel ~ Posted 2012/08/04 15:54:42

Related Topics: College, Couples, Baby, Technology, color, 2012, Healthy, Ivf, DNA, Science, London, Love, Future, The Future

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It seems we may be heading into a new era of eugenics, and in the future, instead of choosing to settle with partners we love, we may be choosing them based on the compatibility of our genes, a leading scientist has warned.

Professor Armand Leroi, of Imperial College London, predicts that the ever declining cost of DNA testing means that we may be heading toward a society that is based on genetic superiority.

Leroi told the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, in Dublin, that he expects that in five to 10 years, it will become standard practice for young people to pay to access their entire genetic code, according to The Telegraph.

Naturally, the future generation's desire to have a healthy baby will then lead them to request access to view the genetic blueprint of any prospective long-term partner.

He told researchers attending the major science conference in Dublin that with the information, future couples could then use IVF to weed out offspring with incurable disease.

However, he added that it is unlikely that people will have the "luxury" of using the technology to design babies by intellect or eye color, but will instead focus on stopping genetic diseases.

Pyro-82 2012/08/31 16:47:57

Thats all well and good, but I doubt people will couple based on genetics if they have any sense.
Then again, that statment does not sound all that hopefull does it?

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Patriot Unit 2012/08/04 20:01:04 (edited)

+1
Well, I could see this would fit very well in the Democratic mindset and ideology. Wonder if there is a gene for deadbeats and or those loving higher taxes. I am sure the the Democrats will find one for Race, Bigotry, and Hateful Bias.

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~ The Rebel ~ 2012/08/04 15:56:05

Danish neurobiologist Lone Frank predicts that some countries will embrace the idea.

"Some cultures will say, 'Let’s get a lot of genomes out on the table and see who’s got the best one'," she said, according to the Daily Mail. However, she added that others will see it as an attempt to play God.

Philippa Taylor, of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said that society must "recognize and resist the eugenic mind set," the Daily Mail reported.

"Our society’s increasing obsession with celebrity status, physical perfection and high intelligence fuels the view that the lives of people with disabilities or genetic diseases are somehow less worth living," Taylor said to the UK-based paper.

"We must recognize and resist the eugenic mind set. Our priorities should be to develop treatments and supportive measures for those with genetic disease; not to search them out and destroy them before birth," she added.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/n...

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