and the next stage in human evolution is....

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I understand what you're saying about humans gaining the ability to control our own evolution, and I think you're right that we could, but I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon, although I could definately be wrong-it's just the impression that I've gotten. Mapping the human genome was a big achievement, but-and correct me if I'm wrong on this-as far as understanding just how genes work to make us who we are, I think we've got one foot in the door, so to speak, since there are so many factors involved and the processes are so complex-genes interact with each other in different ways, and are affected by things like maternal imprinting and, in females, the inactivation of parts of one of the x chromosomes, for instance. We're also affected by our early childhood environment. Of course, scientific knowledge does double every 10-20 years now. But I hope it can't any time soon, because while I'm optimistic about the goodness of humankind, I really don't think we're at the point right now where we can decide what qualities we should design ourselves to have. I think that all of us have cultural biases when it comes to things like that, some of which we probably aren't even aware of, and plus it's so complex. For instance, one might say we should design ourselves to be super intelligent, but without certain other qualities, or with certain other qualities, intelligence can be a dangerous thing, as can a number of other qualities.

I find really interesting what theoretical physicist Machio Kaku proposed about civilization, that it goes through a number of stages. According to this theory, we're in stage 0-very young as a civilization. To get to stage 1, we need to cross the uranium barrier (which basically means we must get to the stage where there is no longer the threat of someone misusing nuclear weapons) and avoid ecological collapse. To do this, we'd need to act globally rather than as hostile nation-states, to avoid misuse of nuclear weapons and to harness our resources at a global level. So if this is the case, then however we evolve, it must be in a way that allows us to cooperate globally, and I think we're already on our way to that. I'm willing to bet we're evolved enough already to allow this to happen.

It might be far off. We need computing power. Serious computing power. But we know what we need to do, all thats left is figuring out how to do it. But all i mean is that is the next level of evolution. Species competing to be intelligent enough to alter themselves and others in superior ways. It is the next playing field.

Makes me glad i asked.

And so you are supposed to think.

I don't think genetic engineering will be a bad thing. Right now, modifications to our genetic code, other than changes to allele frequency (a.k.a. "mixing up the gene pool") are through random mutations only.

I'm not yet so pessimistic about humanity that I think our attempts to alter our DNA will produce worse results than random chance.

I think the first real application of genetic engineering will be gene therapy. Starting with single-gene defects such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, and moving on to more complicated conditions such as Tay-Sachs, we'll be able to cure genetic diseases before the baby is even born, and thousands of lives will be saved.

As for changing or improving the species, we'll have to wait and see. While I'm sure designer hair, eye, and skin color might be relatively easy to implement, more complicated things like height and build, not to mention intelligence, personality, and creativity, depend as much on the person's development (in the womb and after birth) as on their genes. I don't think we have anything to worry about on those fronts.

Jeremy

If humans thought better as a group i'd wager that they'd take the inexpensive, and effecient method of getting rid of the more pesky genetic disorders and diseases-- Sterilization. We wouldn't even have to know about DNA, we would just need to study the hell out of hereditary related attributes in people. If the goddamn nazi's didnt make the whole think look evil, i'd bet that by now there would be a term which meant "Declining to reproduce for the greater happiness and health of humanity." And statues and monuments would be built for all the people who sacrificed their lineage for humanity as a whole. The whole thing would be voluntary. The concept of declining to reproduce in order to breed out life crippling deseases and disorders would be a more present idea in the general populations mind. Instead of OMGWTF!! YOU MUST BE A NAZI!

The problem is that people often don't know they're a carrier for a hereditary disease. Usually there is no reason to test, or no way to test for carriers in the first place. In some cases the defective gene actually results from a spontaneous mutation. Voluntary sterilization wouldn't be sufficient to eliminate the disease in those circumestances.

And I'm not sure how many people who know they are carriers of a serious disease choose to have kids anyway.



The Nazi's didn't make voluntary sterilization look evil, they made forced sterilization look evil. You can still choose to be sterilized if you want. Well, if you're old enough anyway. I had a hell of a time finding a doctor willing to perform a vasectomy when I was 25.

Jeremy

However, one problem with humans is we don't think ahead very well. We do things because many times we can do things and we don't think very thoroughly about the consequences. Despite that it was only a movie, I think Jurassic Park is completely believable given human nature.

Science is good. But it's being shot out like some sort of product. We don't test enough nor think if we even should.

Plus, we're very bad at predicting bad outcomes and overemphasizing good outcomes.

maybe there should be a thinktank made up entirely of aspies.

it seems like if the worst possible case scenerio is possible, aspies would be the likely choice to pre idedntify the downsides.

Yes, a scientific thinktank, assuming the worst causal effect of innovation.

I think we might need a few NT's for the front office and for presentations.
And a few optimists to stretch the "can do" envelope.

I wonder what the ideal mix would be?
I've long thought that major companies should have a resident sceptic on the board, to bring everyone back from flights of fantasy or group-think mania.


I do not want to drive a car, cross a bridge, or fly in a plane that was designed, built or maintained by optimists.

ME ME ME ME.

There is its called MENSA
http://www.mensa.org/#
Actually I find the current set up is far better.
Everyone no matter what you have or who you are can join.
You must be in the top 2% IQ. (Score 98th percentile)

For the sake of evolution, I find it interesting that the level of Geniuses has not changed in the centuries but the level of average people is a dramatic change (adjusting IQ scores)

I was surprised to find that the 98th percentile was a lot lower than I had thought it was.

On my last IQ test I scored the worst I ever had (132) and I still made that 98th percentile.

I always thought they aimed for, like, 145 or something. Or maybe that psychologist was just crazy and didn't know what he was talking about, 98th percentile...

The next stage in Human Evolution. We will need to be more than MENSA MEMBERS. We would truly need to Evolve further than Humans have done so far for all of Humankind. Humankind would have to move forward toward Understanding Each other in the end to move forward and not have prejudices that We have today. These Prejudices Hold Us Back in the Understandings and Meanings of what Life and the Knowledge of Living Life is for Us as a Civilization of Humankind. Only then can Humanity Truly move Forward in the End for Itself. We need to Drop all of Our Prejudices to move Forward and not Backwards to Evolve as Humans together and as a Society and Civilization all Together and not Apart. All of Humanity would have to do this together and could not Leave some Behind. This is only how Humanity will truly Evolve or it would in the end Destroy itself in the End.

What truly matters is how We can do this to benefit all of Humanities together and not Apart.

So Humans will need to Grow Up to Move Forward and to Go Forward Together.

Humans will either want to or not to do this it must be this way or Humanity will never Evolve at All.

Slowly but surely Aspergers will dominate the population and we will be the majority. Autistic minds will be the next human evolution.

Only if we breed, otherwise we will be only useful drones..?
On the whole I don't think my genes are going to get passed on.

No, I'm not asking for eugenic volunteers!
I'd need some persuading, at the least!

Aspies are competant enough and resourceful enough that if we wanted to we could organize a system superior to NT's for breeding. But we have to want to first.