What methods should be explored for the betterment of Man?

[Zylstra]

(First Discussion of the Society for the Betterment of Man )

Adopted from a thread @ another board
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So, there are a variety of technologies that might be explored. Genetic modification might be limited to removing mutations known to cause serious medical problems. It might be extended to purposefully implanting mutations and alleles with beneficial effects into the children of those who choose to participate. We could look into, at some point, modifying man in more drastic methods to engineer our own form, be it by incorporating the DNA of other species or seeking to find a way to custom engineer ourselves using computers intent on decoding DNA. Should there be restrictions against 'aesthetic changes'?

We might look into cybernetics. The could be limited to repairing damaged bodies or extended to improving those who choose to participate (and can afford it, as costs will be prohibitive early on, in all probability).


What technologies and medicines should be explored and what limitations should be set in place?

(the next section was written in response to a suggestion regarding governmental influence of diet and food healthfulness standards. It is included to highlight a key component of what our objectives and guiding principles must be)

The goal is not merely the prolonging of life, but the prolonging of the most enjoyable parts of one's life. Surely, five years added onto your life are worth more if the 'middle' of your life in lengthened than ten or fifteen years barely alive in a hospital bed, yes? By the same reasoning, to do such a thing as you hint at would be counter-intuitive, as it would be a tyranny that robbed people of one of the most basic freedoms and pleasures in life.


(the following was written in response to the objection that we must first define the progress and betterment that is sought. I forwarded the following as a starting point for a discussion regarding how this might be defined and what some of our goals might be)

Let us discuss that definition {of betterment}, then. Perhaps we should assemble a list of objectives we would like to see achieved and how we might measure success.

I propose::
-Identify hereditary genetic mutations that contribute to disease, including but not limited to
----Haemophilia
----Huntington's Disease
----Tay-Sachs
-----Neurofibromatosis
----Muscular dystrohy
----et al

-Identification, replication, and the distribution for optional inclusion of genetic mutations with significant discernible medical value and the potential to better the human condition, including but not limited to
the delta ccr5 mutation responsible for HIV resistance, following further study of its role and any possible side effects


-The study of medical treatments, genetic, chemical, neurological, and other, that might ease known medical conditions, including but not limited to searching for ways to improve the human ability to heal from injury and marrying electromechanical prosthetics to the neurological system to restore use of lost or damaged limbs, and slowing the rate of post-maturity senescence (aging) and body 'decay'.[/quote]

 

[Zylstra]

Nobody a@ LoR has opinion on the matter?

 

[Aught3]

Less sexism?

 

[Ozymandyus]

Obviously you have a very narrowed field of betterment here, limiting it to bettering health. This is a very small part of what it means to be human, and in fact may be PART of being human. Being sick, caring for the sick, worrying and concerning ourselves about our health is a big part of some of our better qualities. Thus the question of what do you mean by 'betterment' is a very pertinent one.

In my opinion, the main things we need for the 'betterment of man' is an increased sense of empathy and understanding and an overall more positive outlook.

To do this, the most important thing is Education and investigation. Investigation into the root causes of why we don't care about and don't listen to one another. Education based around the results of such, and how we get a greater sense of our shared place in the universe and shared goals, whether they be goals of easing suffering through genetic research or whatever other goals we can mostly agree on.

Elimination of health issues is only going to go a very short way towards 'bettering man' in my opinion. If we don't solve our problems with one another first and decide to start genetically enhancing ourselves instead, we will eventually still be faced with destruction and war, and with crazy new biological warfare possible, it will be scarier than ever.

 

[Artsysiridean]

Nobody a@ LoR has opinion on the matter?

I fell asleep. Not due the post, due to browsing so much lolca-hahahaha Ziff.

Honestly? The sooner we can own our own vessels and travel the comsos in the luxurious ways we please the better.

And this thread SHOULD have more replies.

 

[Aught3]

Everything mentioned is being worked on it's just so difficult and complicated that we aren't going to see huge benefits for many more years.

 

[ninja_lord666]

I guess I'm jumping off the bandwagon here with my seemingly random suggestion of superconductors. If we can get superconductors at room temperature or even higher, we can save tons of energy. You know all that energy we spend in creating and using gasoline for cars? Just replace the roads with super conductors and the wheels with magnets and those cars will require almost no energy whatsoever. This would greatly help with both environmental and societal problems.

Another thing is nanorobots. If we create nanorobots to be injected into the human body, they could be programmed to fight disease and fix damage thereby causing everyone to live long, healthy lives. Also, if we somehow find a way to get the nanorobots to 'cure' aging, we could theoretically live several hundred years before finally giving up. Sure, there is always the fear that nanorobots could bring about the zombie apocalypse, but who cares about that?