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China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

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Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#11
post #3

"Given the Mendelian genetic lottery, the kids produced by any one couple typically differ by 5 to 15 IQ points . So this method of "preimplantation embryo selection" might allow IQ within every Chinese family to increase by 5 to 15 IQ points per generation. After a couple of generations, it would be game over for Western global competitiveness. ...." https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23838

Essentially we would do what others do now in the west: Immigrate to China and do sucky work.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#12
post #4

Here's the primary piece: > At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence. Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelli…

is a high IQ enough to determine 'success'?

No, but there is a strong correlation.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#13
post #3

"Given the Mendelian genetic lottery, the kids produced by any one couple typically differ by 5 to 15 IQ points . So this method of "preimplantation embryo selection" might allow IQ within every Chinese family to increase by 5 to 15 IQ points per generation. After a couple of generations, it would be game over for Western global competitiveness. ...." https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23838

Or it could mean millions of high IQ Chinese people doing menial jobs while suffering feelings of existential dread at a higher rate than their lower IQ peers.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#14
post #4

Here's the primary piece: > At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence. Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelli…

is a high IQ enough to determine 'success'?

[deleted]

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#15
I am envious and sad as to how this future will look.

China is practicing eugenics to raise the IQ of it's citizens and secure its spot as Earths dominant power; meanwhile, Western nations are practicing the exact opposite by importing migrants under a doctrine of "diversity is strength".

Scientifically speaking, we are paying the price:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289615...

According to this study, the average IQ of France has been falling 4 points per decade. The main attributions: Intellectual citizens having fewer children, and replacement migration. There is nothing more I can say. No more words are needed. This is all I can leave you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoHCpa4rG7I

Heavy price paid, indeed.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#16
post #4

Here's the primary piece: > At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence. Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelli…

is a high IQ enough to determine 'success'?

Not necessarily but I would argue that the chance of success is higher for a person with higher IQ.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#17
post #4

Here's the primary piece: > At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence. Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelli…

is a high IQ enough to determine 'success'?

It's not "enough", but it really helps. It's highly correlated with a whole host of different positive life outcomes.[1]

People argue over how important it is, and it's certainly not the only thing that matters, but yes, the general consensus is that IQ is meaningful and predictive.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics)

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#18
post #13
post #3

"Given the Mendelian genetic lottery, the kids produced by any one couple typically differ by 5 to 15 IQ points . So this method of "preimplantation embryo selection" might allow IQ within every Chinese family to increase by 5 to 15 IQ points per generation. After a couple of generations, it would be game over for Western global competitiveness. ...." https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23838

Or it could mean millions of high IQ Chinese people doing menial jobs while suffering feelings of existential dread at a higher rate than their lower IQ peers.

Or they could build billions of robots with thousands of variations to make everyone live like a king.

And they will have high enough IQ to maintain and improve them as they wish. Without say IQ of 100 or more maintenance of advanced robots could be problematic.

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#19
post #4

Here's the primary piece: > At BGI Shenzhen, scientists have collected DNA samples from 2,000 of the world’s smartest people and are sequencing their entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine human intelligence. Apparently they’re not far from finding them, and when they do, embryo screening will allow parents to pick their brightest zygote and potentially bump up every generation's intelli…

is a high IQ enough to determine 'success'?

I think you could form an entire HN thread just on what it means to be successful. For example is Reddit a success despite not having IPOed? Are you a success if you have as many kids as possible? (Genghis Khan is probably the most successful persons of all time judging by that)

Re: China Is Engineering Genius Babies (2013)

#20
post #3

"Given the Mendelian genetic lottery, the kids produced by any one couple typically differ by 5 to 15 IQ points . So this method of "preimplantation embryo selection" might allow IQ within every Chinese family to increase by 5 to 15 IQ points per generation. After a couple of generations, it would be game over for Western global competitiveness. ...." https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23838

That math seems off. The gain should average 2.5-7.5 points surely?
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