Evolution used to be only concerned with the study of natural history. It is now concerned with a technology that will determine the future of all species – at warp speed.
Stephen Hawking predicted that we would soon be on our way to “self-designed evolution”. He wrote:
“We will be able to change and improve our DNA. We have now mapped DNA, which means we have read “The Book of Life”, so we can start writing in corrections.”
But for Hawking, the slippery slope didn’t and wouldn’t stop at curing devastating diseases such as his own affliction, a slowly progressive form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hawking believed that eventually, scientists would use techniques such as CRISPR to modify or enhance traits like intelligence and legislation will never be able to catch up with the ambitious and unethical.
The path to genetic superiority will be available to wealthy elites, putting them in conflict with humans who had evolved naturally. Hawking continued:
“Once such superhumans appear, there are going to be significant political problems with the unimproved humans, who won’t be able to compete. Presumably, they will die out, or become unimportant. Instead, there will be a race of self-designing beings who are improving themselves at an ever-increasing rate.”
Which country will take the lead in this technology? Obviously, the one that has been selfishly cultivating a skewed gender population for centuries. It’s the same principle – just on a whole new level.