Genetic Enhancement and Technological Progress

The video discusses the unpredictable nature of technological advancements, highlighting past misconceptions about supersonic transport and moon landings. It explores the challenges in genetic engineering, including moral, legal, and technical issues, and the complexity of engineering human intelligence. The video also addresses the risks and ethical concerns of genetic modifications, emphasizing the potential unknown consequences and societal barriers.

What is a key reason why technological advancements can be unpredictable?

• Technological advancements always follow a linear path.

• Societal choices and economic factors can influence technological progress.

• Technology is always driven by scientific discoveries alone.

• Technological advancements are solely determined by government policies.

What is a common misconception about technological progress?

• Technology is solely driven by scientific discoveries.

• Technology is unpredictable.

• Technology is influenced by social and economic factors.

• Technology always advances without setbacks.

Why is genetic enhancement considered controversial in many societies?

• It is believed to be a form of eugenics.

• It is widely accepted and practiced.

• It has no legal implications.

• It is considered a simple scientific procedure.

What was a confident prediction made after the cloning of Dolly the sheep?

• Human cloning would be impossible.

• Human cloning would soon become a reality.

• Cloning would have no ethical implications.

• Cloning would be banned worldwide.

What is a major challenge in engineering high intelligence?

• The belief that intelligence is not inheritable.

• The complexity of multiple genes contributing to intelligence.

• The lack of interest in genetic research.

• Identifying a single gene responsible for intelligence.

What is a significant challenge in identifying genes related to intelligence?

• Each gene has a large, easily identifiable effect.

• Genes related to intelligence are well understood.

• Each gene has a small, complex effect.

• Genes related to intelligence are not inheritable.

What is a potential risk of genetic modifications?

• Immediate approval from review boards.

• Complete understanding of all gene functions.

• Guaranteed improvement in intelligence.

• Unknown side effects such as increased risk of diseases.

Why might parents hesitate to genetically enhance their children?

• The risk of unknown side effects.

• The high cost of genetic procedures.

• The certainty of positive outcomes.

• The lack of societal interest in genetic enhancement.

What distinguishes biological interventions from environmental ones?

• Environmental interventions have no psychological impact.

• Environmental interventions are considered more ethical.

• Biological interventions are always legal.

• Biological interventions are seen as cheating.

How do societal views impact the acceptance of genetic enhancement?

• Societal views encourage unrestricted genetic modification.

• Societal views create psychological barriers to acceptance.

• Societal views have no impact on genetic enhancement.

• Society fully supports genetic enhancement.