Morality of perfecting humanity

[ribozyme]

I read Eugenics: A Reassessment by Richard Lynn and he argues that it is possible to use reproductive technology in the future to augment human capabilities. Such technology is in an incipent state currently.

So should we perfect humanity? One method of doing this is describe on the wikipedia entry for Richard Lynn:

In Eugenics, Lynn argues embryo selection as a form of standard reproductive therapy would raise the average intelligence of the population by 15 IQ points in a single generation (p. 300). If couples produce a hundred embryos, he argues, the range in potential IQ would be around 15 points above and below the parents’ IQ. Lynn argues this gain could be repeated each generation, eventually stabilizing the population’s IQ at a theoretical maximum of around 200 after as little as six or seven generations.

After I read Eugenics and Richard Lynn and Linda Gottfredson’s work, my idee fixe is the perfection of the human condition invoking the new eugenics. So should we pursue this?

 

[dylanschrader]

The perfection of humanity consists in holiness since it’s more important that men be spiritually perfected than they be physically perfected. At the resurrection of the body, the imperfections of the body will be gone anyway.

Anything that involves the destruction of human beings, even in the embryonic state, is gravely illicit and may not be pursued.

From Donum Vitae:

Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. These manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his or her integrity and identity. Therefore in no way can they be justified on the grounds of possible beneficial consequences for future humanity. (33) Every person must be respected for himself: in this consists the dignity and right of every human being from his or her beginning.

 

[Loren_1of6]

You seem to be reading quite a bit from authors encouraging the use of human beings as a means to an end.:ehh:

People, each and every person, is created in the image and likeness of God and is deserving of respect because of that, not because of how smart or attractive or funny or tall or creative they are. The idea of getting rid of any person because he or she doesn’t fit your idea of ideal is absolutely repulsive to any rational person.

 

[stbruno]

You seem to be reading quite a bit from authors encouraging the use of human beings as a means to an end.:ehh:

People, each and every person, is created in the image and likeness of God and is deserving of respect because of that, not because of how smart or attractive or funny or tall or creative they are. The idea of getting rid of any person because he or she doesn’t fit your idea of ideal is absolutely repulsive to any rational person.

Couldn’t have said it better myself:thumbsup: