Summary
The discussion centers on the ethical implications of genetic manipulation and eugenics. Rebecca Sear from Brunel University highlights the historical context of eugenics, noting that it was once considered a respectable practice among academics and intellectuals, including figures like Sir Julian Huxley.
Sear raises concerns about the potential dangers of pursuing genetic enhancements beyond addressing congenital diseases, suggesting that the idea of "breeding better people" could lead to troubling societal consequences. The conversation emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the moral boundaries in genetic research and the implications of such practices on society.
Show Notes
The rise of eugenics troubles Professor of Psychology, Rebecca Sear, at Brunel University in London. Very powerful, influential, wealthy people are on board with eugenics. It is OK to use gene technology to alleviate maladies, she suggests, but trying to implant the ”gene-for-Harvard” or remove spurious “inferiority” from communities, she avers, is simply the re-emergence of racism.
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