The Beyond Tomorrow Podcast with Julian Issa Should We Hand-Pick Our Children’s Genes? - Jonathan Anomaly
What happens when the future of humanity is no longer something we wait for but something we can choose?
When science gives us that kind of power, the real question becomes how wisely we’re prepared to use it. Today, Jonathan joins Julian to break down the fast-evolving world of embryo selection and what it could mean for the future of human evolution. Jonathan explains how IVF has grown from a niche medical procedure into a window into chromosomal health, genetic risk, and now polygenic traits that influence everything from disease risk to intelligence. They also revisit the history of eugenics, unpack the huge difference between past state-controlled abuses and today’s individual, non-coercive choices, and show why modern genomic tools aren’t about “playing God” but about making more informed, thoughtful decisions rooted in science.
What traits should families even care about? How do we keep individuality alive when selection becomes easier? And what happens when science, politics, and markets start overlapping in ways society isn’t quite prepared for? Julian and Jonathan dig into the complexity behind intelligence, personality, mental health, and moral behavior, while also touching on industry controversies, regulation challenges, and the importance of transparency in genetic prediction.
Jonathan Anomaly is a philosopher and researcher focused on the ethics of genetics, human enhancement, and emerging biotechnologies. He works at the intersection of science and philosophy, helping shape how genomic prediction and reproductive technologies are understood and responsibly used.
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What You’ll Learn
What embryo selection is and how it differs from gene editing
How IVF evolved and gained public acceptance
Why heredity matters for reducing disease risk
How polygenic scoring predicts health and traits
How tech and society shape each other
The risks and limits of gene editing
What the future of reproductive tech may look like
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:00 What embryo selection really means
00:00 Why IVF and gene editing aren’t the same
09:31 How understanding heredity can shape better outcomes
14:42 The natural spread of human intelligence
22:19 Rethinking what it means to be human
26:00 The concept of iterated embryo selection
30:58 How technology and society evolve together
36:10 A different lens on world wars and human behavior
40:07 Choosing a child’s intelligence: what that actually involves
44:53 The health risks and limits of gene editing
52:33 Using AI with the right intentions for humanity’s future
55:43 The concerns surrounding Herasight
01:03:55 How future traits can be predicted in embryos
01:07:26 What the future of gene editing could look like
01:10:33 Why embryo choice matters for families
🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa
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Episode Resources:
Jonathan Anomaly
Website: https://jonathan-anomaly.com/