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So, how would you frame it? I realise it's a sensitive discussion that can easily degenerate, but the subject should not be taboo on HN.


I don't think there's any real venue in which a discussion of permanent germline modification of humanity (or in-utero modification that affects all cells) can be rationally discussed. I've never seen any productive discussion of this in any context. It's one of the few issues that dives so deeply to the core of the human value system that it's truly challenging to come up even with the terms of the debate.

That said I expect that in the future, for many genetically inherited diseases, parents will be given the option to address the problem without termination, so long as the solution seems to be exceptionally safe and highly effective (IE, 99.999% confidence the outcome will be positive). I don't think people will see that as "eugenics", although there have been a few press campaigns that have done so.




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