AI gets most of the attention, but biotechnology may be even more impactful on the human future. Indeed, I think it is the most powerful technology since the splitting of the atom — perhaps even in history, as it has the potential to literally alter the human race or any cell/organism — which could cure diseases or unleash an unstoppable pandemic. Attention must be paid.

The Cuban Dream Dies by Cuban Hands

Does James Talarico Realize He’s Running to Represent Texas?

Ignoring the Voters Will End Badly

Some biotechnologists are intent on pursuing radical biotechnologies — whether to eliminate disease, or as I expect to become the bigger, more remunerative draw, to create designer babies enhanced to be smarter, more beautiful, or otherwise made to order — regardless of the ethical questions.

A long piece in The Guardian illustrates the stakes we face. The profile focuses on Kathie Tie, a Canadian entrepreneurial biotechnologist who brags that she is going to learn how to genetically engineer human babies with the CRISPR method–regardless of what anyone thinks. And, she intends to engage in germ-line engineering that will pass down the generations. From the profile:

Gene editing has the power to alter the trajectory of human evolution forever; the direction it takes will depend on who wields the editing tools. “There is no public funding available for researchers in the space,” Tie explains. “Everything is privately funded.” It’s up to entrepreneurs to demonstrate the potential benefits for humankind, she says, so regulators may soften their hardline stance and allow them to rewrite human DNA. That’s why the use of germline gene editing for reproductive purposes (rather than research) is banned in the UK, the US and China, and there is widespread international agreement that no research should be conducted on embryos that could grow to term and be born as babies.

Gene editing has the power to alter the trajectory of human evolution forever; the direction it takes will depend on who wields the editing tools. “There is no public funding available for researchers in the space,” Tie explains. “Everything is privately........

© National Review