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#598 - Dr Jonathan Anomaly - The Wild Ethics Of Human Genetic Enhancement

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Mar 6, 2023

Guest

Jonathan Anomaly

Dr. Jonathan Anomaly, a philosopher from Duke University specializing in the ethical implications of biotechnology, dives deep into the ethics of genetic enhancement. He discusses the current capabilities of embryo selection and the moral dilemmas surrounding choosing traits like intelligence and athleticism. Anomaly raises questions about the societal consequences of genetic inequalities and the responsibilities of parents in this new landscape. The conversation ultimately probes whether opting out of genetic enhancement could be considered unethical in our rapidly evolving world.

01:52:37

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INSIGHT

Eugenics Defined

Eugenics harnesses heredity knowledge to influence children's traits.
The term, coined by Francis Galton, gained prominence with Mendel's experiments, Darwin's theory, and twin studies.

insights

INSIGHT

Eugenics Misconceptions

People associate eugenics with Nazism due to their horrific practices.
The woke left also uses the term to stifle discussions about genetics.

insights

INSIGHT

Eugenics and Politics

Early eugenicists were progressives who believed science could improve humanity.
The modern left's blank slate view hinders discussions on genetic technologies.

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The Complex Legacy of Eugenics

05:33 • 20min

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Ethics of Genetic Enhancement

25:18 • 23min

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Aggression, Masculinity, and Evolution

48:00 • 9min

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Navigating Genetic Selection: The Future of Human Evolution

57:18 • 22min

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The Paradox of Altruism and In-Group Preferences

01:19:05 • 3min

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Navigating Genetic Enhancement

01:22:29 • 6min

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The Dynamics of Wealth and Technological Progress

01:28:42 • 5min

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The Future of Genetic Enhancement

01:33:57 • 23min

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Exploring the Ethics of Genetic Enhancement

01:56:51 • 2min

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Dr Jonathan Anomaly is a philosopher who writes about the social implications of emerging biotechnologies, teaches classes in ethics and game theory, and helped design the Philosophy, Politics and Economics program at Duke University.

The ability to select from potential embryos is already here. Soon, we will be able to select for height, intelligence, personality types, moral disposition, athletic ability and maybe even enhance traits which aren't present. This creates a vortex of complex ethics around one of the most contentious topics on the internet - genetics. So I decided to dive in.

Expect to learn just what the current technology of embryo selection can achieve right now, whether opting to not genetically enhance your child is an unethical practise, the dangers of creating massive societal inequality, why you are already a eugenicist, whether genetic interventions are morally different from environmental ones and much more...

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Extra Stuff:

Check out Dr Anomaly's website - https://jonathan-anomaly.com/

Read Dr Anomaly's papers - https://philpapers.org/

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