Our Biopolitical Future: Four Scenarios

Emerging genetic Emerging genetic technologies could radically reshape the world, for good or ill.

Most of us would enjoy being healthier, smarter, more attractive, and longer-lived. But we also know there can be too much of a good thing. If we're overweight it makes sense to reduce, but anorexia can be lethal. A nice haircut can make us feel good, but repeated, expensive cosmetic surgery can bring more complications than complements. Most of us understand this and learn to lead full and productive lives within the natural range of diversity that comes with being human.

But what if that natural range of diversity no longer applied? What if it were possible to radically enhance our looks, brains, athletic abilities, and life span, with, say, injections of customized genes? What if we could design our children with chromosomes purchased from a catalogue?