Genetic engineering, cognitive elites and meritocracy

[Jay GW]

Let's say tomorrow a breakthrough is made, and the genes responsible for memory, processing speed, learning, creativity are found.

Will genetic therapy to "cure" low intelligence affect meritocracies?

(This is in philosophy because it's not really a science question.)

[John Page]

Will genetic therapy to "cure" low intelligence affect meritocracies?
Of course. It will feed the competiton to be meritorious through higher intelligence.

[premjan]

Meritocracy will become irrelevant in one respect if everyone has the same tools at their disposal. Rather than individual merit, the game will revert to technical merit of different gene therapies.

[John Page]

Rather than individual merit, the game will revert to technical merit of different gene therapies.
Yes. Unnatural selection?

[kennethamy]

Of course. It will feed the competiton to be meritorious through higher intelligence.

How, if everyone is highly intelligent, can there be competition based on intelligence?

[John Page]

How, if everyone is highly intelligent, can there be competition based on intelligence?
Because some will be more (highly) intelligent than others.

[kennethamy]

Because some will be more (highly) intelligent than others.

But, ex hypothesi any disparity will be fixed.

[John Page]

But, ex hypothesi any disparity will be fixed.
Intelligence is a function of DNA plus experience. Genetic engineering does not address the latter.

[kennethamy]

Intelligence is a function of DNA plus experience. Genetic engineering does not address the latter.

I thought we were assuming the hypothesis of the OP. Not questioning it. The question I thought you were answering was, suppose the hypothesis is true, what follows for competition? Your answer was wrong.

[John Page]

I thought we were assuming the hypothesis of the OP. Not questioning it. The question I thought you were answering was, suppose the hypothesis is true, what follows for competition? Your answer was wrong.
Here's the OP....
Let's say tomorrow a breakthrough is made, and the genes responsible for memory, processing speed, learning, creativity are found.

Will genetic therapy to "cure" low intelligence affect meritocracies?
Heres my answer:
Of course. It will feed the competiton to be meritorious through higher intelligence.
Your response doesn;t make sense to me.
1. How is my answer that the proposed gene therapy will affect meritocracies "wrong"?
2. In what way do you think I am questioning the OP?

[Jay GW]

The nuture side isn't addressed.
But what if it can be compensated for?

[Autonemesis]

Let's say tomorrow a breakthrough is made, and the genes responsible for memory, processing speed, learning, creativity are found.

Will genetic therapy to "cure" low intelligence affect meritocracies?

Depends on how many intelligent people accept one side or the other of the freeloader dilemma. You see, if everyone is equally intelligent then any improvements I might think of to better the world will surely be thought of by someone else, and implemented by someone else just as well as I could do it. But I want to be lazy, so I'll let someone else invent the labor-saving utopia machine. :devil:

[untermensche]

Locating genes does not mean you can come up with genetic therapies.

Knowing the genes that cause the brain to form with superior memory does not mean you can turn a fully developed brain into one with superior memory.

The genes may have to act as the brain is developing to have an effect.

[kennethamy]

Depends on how many intelligent people accept one side or the other of the freeloader dilemma. You see, if everyone is equally intelligent then any improvements I might think of to better the world will surely be thought of by someone else, and implemented by someone else just as well as I could do it. But I want to be lazy, so I'll let someone else invent the labor-saving utopia machine. :devil:

Equal intelligence does not mean that everyone will equally innovative or creative. Does it?

[Jay GW]

Equal intelligence does not mean that everyone will equally innovative or creative. Does it?

There are genes for creativity. In fact, I would rather all the world get a therapy to increase creativity than to increase other types of intelligence.

[jacheatamobits]

Let's say tomorrow a breakthrough is made, and the genes responsible for memory, processing speed, learning, creativity are found.

Will genetic therapy to "cure" low intelligence affect meritocracies?

(This is in philosophy because it's not really a science question.)

i object, cuz he interupted me when i was watching Ow my balls!:wave:

[Ierrellus]

Are we assuming that genetic amelioration of human potential has a final end? That we can actually reach the apex of human potential and from that vantage point assume some equality in which competitions for survival do not exist? I think not.