Robert J. Bradbury, <bradbury@www.aeiveos.com>, writes:
> The *sticky* point in my mind is we are entering the time when treatments > that are entirely "enhancements", rather than "necessities" are available. > If the Extropian principles are those which should encourage diversity, > minimize tyranny, manipulation/control by power bodies/majorities > (including parents or medical authorities), etc., then it would seem to > me that -- > Extropians should be fundamentally opposed to all germline or > childhood gene therapies that are not essential for the survival > of the individual (to a time where they an give "informed consent").
I argued the opposite last October:
: Under what circumstances is it legitimate to alter the genome and create
: a genetically altered person who is better adapted to some environments
: but worse for others? In space, the legless person, or someone with
: hands instead of feet, may have an advantage. But you can't ask in
: advance.
:
: The question is related to the issue of whether it is right to bring
: children into the world in other circumstances where their choices may
: be limited.
:
: Historically, people have had the right to raise their offspring into
: virtually any circumstances. They travel to dangerous new continents and
: raise children in hard conditions. Nobody asks the kids if they mind;
: it's impossible to do so until after their born, and then it's too late.
: [...]
: If we accept the
: historical precedent for parents to have children in environments which
: limit their choices, shouldn't we accept that modifying them is equally
: permissible?
Hal