JUST 'CAUSE WE CAN'T DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T :

REVIEW : of Our Posthuman Future by Francis Fukuyama (Steven Martinovich, April 22, 2002, Enter Stage Right)

Fukuyama's arguments are convincing if you believe that the advances in biotechnology that he fears are even possible. As Colin Tudge pointed out in last year's The Impact of the Gene: From Mendel's Peas to Designer Babies, even in theory it's difficult to constructing a "better" human being. While it is technically possible to create a designer baby, nothing is impossible after all, Tudge argued that it won't likely be very feasible considering the monumental challenge of understanding the millions, perhaps even billions, of genetic factors that influence a single variable like intelligence.

Fukuyama and Tudge both agree, however, that it would be a mistake for humans to begin tinkering with their genes. It took over five million years for the modern human being to evolve and given that we can never have absolute knowledge, modifying the genes of our descendants meddles with processes we do not completely understand and may bring repercussions we may be regret decades or centuries down the line.

Mr. Martinovich (who we here at Brothers Judd refer to as "Canada's last best hope") is right to be skeptical of the likelihood that bioengineering will be able to deliver on all the promises its advocates are dangling before us. But isn't that really beside the point? When has our lack of understanding of the ultimate consequences of our actions ever deterred us in the past?

Mr. Fukuyama is correct in calling for rapid and thorough regulation of the various biotechnologies that may impact our genetic makeup. As Mr. Martinovich points out, Mr. Fukuyama has proposed a sensible dividing line between what should be banned (genetic enhancements) and what should be allowed but restricted (genetic therapy). This would allow science and medicine to search for ways to alleviate human suffering and combat disease, but restrain them from the most flagrant type of tampering with the genetic structure that has made humans what we are. That seems like a reasonable balance.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 24, 2002 8:35 AM