Research in embryo selection and gene enhancement to increase positive human traits (not just intelligence) is dear to my heart. This would be a great benefit to all nations and races. I am a big supporter of psychometric research on human traits as a step toward determining genetic influence.
Thanks for the article; I hope to see more in this vein.
Once we have crossed the Rubicon of acknowledging genetics and inequality, why do we have to keep the egalitarian baggage of thinking that inequality is a bad thing or that it is our duty to help "less-privileged" nations and peoples? Why would we use our knowledge of genetics to create a race of highly intelligent, sexually aggressive Bantoids?
I was not aware that the average IQs in Subsaharan Africa were 70 or less. It seems criminal to not discuss this and keep dumping money into the region.
Fascinating. I'll take the science on trust (not competent to check it) and confine my thoughts to how hard it would be to even talk to friends about it. I'm imagining that elites in the developing world would take up these options, possibly accelerating improvements in overall NIQ over time. But I can't see the UN adopting it as a development objective.
It's kind of on a social par with being sexually attracted to children as a dinner party conversation topic.
"Despite concerted efforts" [to end poverty in Africa] should really read "despite pointless efforts". Or even "worsened by well-meaning but counterproductive efforts". I believe some African intellectuals are also of this view.
Your essay was interesting and well-researched but I (and many others) still say that the only useful and realistic thing for wealthy majority-white societies to do about Africa (apart from robustly controlling their own borders) is nothing. To entirely leave it to sort itself out in its own way.
The argument has a legitimate point, but the author really needs to touch some grass. 😁
The reason such proposals don't and won't fly isn't our stinginess about the role of genetics in determining intelligence. It's the much simpler fact that a whole population is never going to forego "organic" reproduction for mass IVF.
It's just insane to think this will ever be feasible, as long as you're dealing with people.
I’m a bit disappointed that the article doesn’t compare existing public health interventions and their impact on IQ. I’d imagine lead abatement, pollution reduction, iodine deficiency intervention, and parasite treatment to be massively (perhaps 100x) more cost effective. Embryo selection (with current IVF tech) would likely cost many multiples of annual income for an African.
OMG if you can't see this is what the next level up from genocide. The "civilized west" has adopted the Nazi's education system and this is what it has lead too. A system that has forgotten its humanity and is serving a small group that intends to enslave the rest. This would get rid of genius. This would prevent the most sensitive and brilliant from every being born. You say this in the name of health. But I am in profoundly gifted groups with people and none of us would never be born if this was put into action. We have a purpose and it is to bring humanity back to its senses. The savants and neurodivergent contain natural gifts that restore our population to healthy. This is insanity and you are insane or just too stupid to see it.
Embryo selection as foreign aid
Make Natural Selection great again
Research in embryo selection and gene enhancement to increase positive human traits (not just intelligence) is dear to my heart. This would be a great benefit to all nations and races. I am a big supporter of psychometric research on human traits as a step toward determining genetic influence.
Thanks for the article; I hope to see more in this vein.
Once we have crossed the Rubicon of acknowledging genetics and inequality, why do we have to keep the egalitarian baggage of thinking that inequality is a bad thing or that it is our duty to help "less-privileged" nations and peoples? Why would we use our knowledge of genetics to create a race of highly intelligent, sexually aggressive Bantoids?
I was not aware that the average IQs in Subsaharan Africa were 70 or less. It seems criminal to not discuss this and keep dumping money into the region.
Who funds you dystopian transhumanist ghouls?
Fascinating. I'll take the science on trust (not competent to check it) and confine my thoughts to how hard it would be to even talk to friends about it. I'm imagining that elites in the developing world would take up these options, possibly accelerating improvements in overall NIQ over time. But I can't see the UN adopting it as a development objective.
It's kind of on a social par with being sexually attracted to children as a dinner party conversation topic.
"Despite concerted efforts" [to end poverty in Africa] should really read "despite pointless efforts". Or even "worsened by well-meaning but counterproductive efforts". I believe some African intellectuals are also of this view.
Your essay was interesting and well-researched but I (and many others) still say that the only useful and realistic thing for wealthy majority-white societies to do about Africa (apart from robustly controlling their own borders) is nothing. To entirely leave it to sort itself out in its own way.
The argument has a legitimate point, but the author really needs to touch some grass. 😁
The reason such proposals don't and won't fly isn't our stinginess about the role of genetics in determining intelligence. It's the much simpler fact that a whole population is never going to forego "organic" reproduction for mass IVF.
It's just insane to think this will ever be feasible, as long as you're dealing with people.
Truly brilliant. This could be the biggest thing ever.
Hmm, so China & India did so poorly for decades because they have low IQ?
Western envy of African fertility rates is leaking out in very odd directions. I’m adding this strange proposition to the list.
Turn all Africans into lab rats? Odd way to deal with poverty.
I’m a bit disappointed that the article doesn’t compare existing public health interventions and their impact on IQ. I’d imagine lead abatement, pollution reduction, iodine deficiency intervention, and parasite treatment to be massively (perhaps 100x) more cost effective. Embryo selection (with current IVF tech) would likely cost many multiples of annual income for an African.
You'd also be selecting for autism as the genes for autism are correlated with IQ. Very unwise.
https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/11/13/autism-and-intelligence-much-more-than-you-wanted-to-know/
OMG if you can't see this is what the next level up from genocide. The "civilized west" has adopted the Nazi's education system and this is what it has lead too. A system that has forgotten its humanity and is serving a small group that intends to enslave the rest. This would get rid of genius. This would prevent the most sensitive and brilliant from every being born. You say this in the name of health. But I am in profoundly gifted groups with people and none of us would never be born if this was put into action. We have a purpose and it is to bring humanity back to its senses. The savants and neurodivergent contain natural gifts that restore our population to healthy. This is insanity and you are insane or just too stupid to see it.