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Re:Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation in Human Embryos by JackFr on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @02:45PM (#14913439)
> If America doesn't do it, China will, and in a generation will be swollen with a population so much more fit as to make the question of the US standing toe-to-toe laughable. If China doesn't, Russia will.

So what? They win more Olympic medals? Or what, they invade like in Red Dawn? Or they take all the places in our elite colleges?

While its not an argument against, fear-mongering a ludicrous, purely hypothetical bioengineering arms race is not a particularly good argument for.

> I want genetic engineering because it's logical that as humans learn to exert control over their environment, it's inevitable that we also learn to control our own evolution.

If something is inevitable, it's irrelevant whether you want it or not.

> But I get that huge swathes of the population reject it for religious reasons or what have you.

I honestly don't think you do get it. I think you accept your own moral imperative naively and uncritically without even a casual attempt to understand the thought of those who are a little more circumspect.

Re:Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation in Human Embryos by nopinsight on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @03:01PM (#14913584)
The country with more capable populace will produce more valuable goods and services. If free trade is allowed, trade imbalance will accumulate to an extent that might tip the scales in other domains, including global standing.

Technological and military power also fundamentally depend on the quality of people.

Full-scale war is not likely in the near future, but will people accept being an underdog after a century of dominance?

Re:Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation in Human Embryos by mhb on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @03:20PM (#14913723)
Comparative advantage?
Re:Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation in Human Embryos by branchless on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @03:11PM (#14913670)
Wait, yanks are worried about a trade deficit with China? Take a seat, i have some news...

Really this post is what is already happening. Nothing to do with genetic engineering, everything to do with neoliberalism.

Re:Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation in Human Embryos by komali2 on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @02:59PM (#14913568)
>without even a casual attempt to understand the thought of those who are a little more circumspect.

As someone more circumspect, can you illuminate me?