This blog post examines the dangers a genetically engineered society could bring and the importance of genetic diversity, based on the film 『Gattaca』.
In the film ‘Gattaca’, only superior genetic traits are extracted during conception to create custom-made humans. These babies are born as custom-made humans, stripped of inferior genetic factors like physical defects or hereditary diseases their parents possess. Custom-made babies possess superior physical conditions such as tall stature, good eyesight, and high IQ scores. Meanwhile, the protagonist Vincent was not born as a custom-made human but was naturally conceived. Therefore, Vincent is genetically inferior compared to other custom-made humans. Vincent attempts to enter the space station Gattaca to become an astronaut, but he repeatedly fails the genetic screening due to his inferior genes. Consequently, Vincent borrows blood, urine, and skin samples from Jerome Eugene, a superior gene carrier, to gain entry into Gattaca and ultimately fulfills his dream of becoming an astronaut.
This film depicts a world that judges humans by superior genes, showing how someone with inferior genes achieves their dream. It portrays an individual with inferior genes overcoming competition against those with superior genes through sheer effort in a world that only accepts superior genetic material. Through this, it argues that a world judging solely by superior genes is irrational. Is living as a genetically engineered human truly less desirable than living as a naturally born human? If we must choose between living as a genetically engineered human or a naturally born human, let’s examine the advantages of being genetically engineered.
There are two major advantages genetically engineered humans have over naturally born humans. The first is reducing the risk factors for congenital diseases and physical defects. In the movie ‘Gattaca’, congenital diseases are prevented by preemptively eliminating genetic disorders caused by parental traits before a baby is born. This lowers the incidence rates of currently prevalent diseases and increases people’s life expectancy. It also enables activities previously impossible due to physical disabilities. For example, good eyesight is required to become an airplane pilot. Some people must abandon their dream of becoming pilots due to the congenital defect of poor eyesight. With customized humans, such congenital defects are eliminated, resolving this issue.
Meanwhile, advocates for natural humans may express concern about the homogenization of genes related to disease resistance. If everyone possessed genes conferring immunity to all existing diseases, genetic diversity in disease resistance would vanish. Such genetic uniformity could leave humanity vulnerable when mutant viruses emerge. When diverse genes exist, the probability increases that someone immune to a mutant virus will be present. However, if genetic diversity is lost and a mutated virus emerges, and just one person is vulnerable to that virus, the probability that everyone becomes vulnerable is very high. Therefore, while human life expectancy might increase in the short term, the risk exists that humanity could face extinction in the long term.
The above problem might arise if humanity strives to achieve immunity against all diseases. However, it is impossible for individuals to be born with immunity to every disease from birth. Firstly, genetically engineering to account for all diseases is extremely difficult. The sheer number of existing diseases makes it impractical to consider every single one for every newborn. Furthermore, preventing all diseases through innate immunity is impossible. While most diseases involve genetic influences, environmental factors also play a significant role. Genetic modification can eliminate genetic influences, but it is impossible to control every environmental factor we encounter in life. Therefore, when creating customized humans, we should not aim for immunity to all diseases. Instead, it is better to focus genetic modification only on essential genetic diseases like cancer, while preserving diversity in other areas. If we also enhance abilities like strengthening heart muscles to improve blood circulation, enabling faster recovery of physical strength when ill, customized humans would be well-suited to maintaining short- and long-term healthy bodies.
The second advantage is the enhancement of people’s fundamental abilities. Since customized humans are born with selected good genes, they possess superior abilities compared to naturally born humans. This will elevate the average capabilities of people. This drives human progress and enables a more comfortable life. Furthermore, since each person possesses specific areas where they excel relative to others, they can better identify their strengths and experience a sense of accomplishment.
However, one might think that if everyone lives as a customized human, genetic manipulation to excel at everything would make everyone identical. To address this, we must first consider whether excelling at every single ability is even possible. It is impossible to excel at every single ability. This is because certain abilities have negatively correlated counterparts. Consider, for example, the 100-meter dash and the marathon. 100-meter sprinters require muscular physiques and the ability to generate explosive thrust. Marathon runners, however, typically possess lean muscle mass and shed excess muscle to reduce energy expenditure. Therefore, to excel perfectly at both abilities, one must sacrifice the other. Similarly, due to abilities that have a negative correlation with each other, it is impossible for everyone to possess the exact same genes.
An additional counterargument to this is the notion that there is a hierarchy among professions. Diversity in abilities exists precisely because it is impossible to excel at all abilities simultaneously. However, this implies the assumption that various abilities are valued equally, thereby justifying the existence of diverse professions. If being a doctor were the most highly regarded profession, all parents would strive to ensure their children possessed the aptitudes suited for medicine, leading to uniformity among all people. In the initial stages of introducing customized humans, people would flock to the medical profession in the short term. The distinction of prestige in occupations arises when supply exceeds demand. If everyone applying to be a doctor were allowed to become one, the value of being a doctor would decline, achieving equilibrium with other professions. If only a portion of those applying to become doctors actually do so, while the rest cannot, those who fail to become doctors would have a low probability of succeeding in competition with people specialized in other occupations they might choose. This would lead to the next generation gradually balancing out, with people not crowding into any single profession and all occupations becoming more evenly distributed. Of course, this does not enable perfect division of labor. No one wants a 3D job, so no one will tailor their genes for that sector. However, this is the same problem in a natural human world. Even in our current lives, people inevitably take 3D jobs because society needs them, even if they don’t want them and can’t get other jobs. Therefore, a perfect solution is impossible, and the solution doesn’t lie with natural humans either.
Finally, among the advantages of customized humans are significant benefits in mental and emotional aspects. Since customized humans possess superior genes from birth, they are highly likely to develop greater self-esteem and confidence. This can positively impact an individual’s mental health. Growing up aware of their genetic superiority, customized humans tend to have high self-esteem and can feel a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in their work. This can be a crucial factor in enhancing an individual’s quality of life. High self-esteem and confidence can also aid in stress management, contributing to overall mental well-being.
It is also worth considering the possibility of society evolving through a combination of natural humans and customized humans. While customized humans possess superior physical and mental capabilities compared to natural humans, the diversity and unpredictable creativity of natural humans still hold significant value. The harmony between these two will be a crucial element in achieving balance for humanity’s development and survival. It is vital to maximize the advantages of customized humans while protecting and developing the unique strengths of natural humans. This can provide a more powerful and flexible solution for addressing the diverse challenges humanity faces.
