In this modern era,
we find the process of human evolution to no longer have any real
significance and presence in our development. Evolution is a process governed
by natural selection, a system that is now irrelevant to the human race. It is
no longer necessary to fight for survival, food, and power in order to
procreate. As it always has, biology will continue to introduce random mutations
to each new generation of humans. But now those mutations will play no role in
determining an individual’s likelihood of procreation. This means that all our
mutations are random and nonsensical. If you haven’t already realized, that
does not bode well for our future. As we continue to progress in Healthcare, we
are mucking up the gene pool ever-further. Maybe Joe Shmoe was supposed to die
from that serious case of high-blood-pressure, but instead he was given a
medication to control it, and went on to find a mate and procreate. Now Joe
Shmoe has two children with a genetic propensity for high-blood-pressure. Then
those kids are given drugs that keep their blood pressure in check, find mates,
and procreate. Do you see where I am going with this? This is just one example,
but the point I am trying to make is that by saving your loved ones, you are
dooming the human race to certain destruction. I mean it. The human race will
come to an end (not soon, but eventually) if we continue the way we are going.
We will die of disease, disorders, and other ailments as a result of
uncontrolled mutations.
The way I see it, we have two options. Option number one is
that we all die out as stated above. Option number two, and probably my
preferred choice, is that we take control of our own evolution. With new
technology and possibilities in the fields of biology and computer science, we
are about to open the door to a whole new field that I would personally love to
pioneer: Genetic Programming. When you look at the human genome, you see a mess
of nonsensical “data” that seems to be nearly endless and unrevealing. However,
we have barely even begun to scratch the surface on understanding the logic in
the A’s, C’s, T’s, and G’s that embody the grand composition of human life. I
believe that once we start to play around with it more, we will discover patterns
in the madness, and eventually decrypt it into a syntax that can be
understood—and exploited. Thus emerges the field of Genetic Programming, and
let me be the first to tell you that it will be HUGE. Once we master the art,
we will be capable of redesigning ourselves in the ideal image of human
perfection. The early implications of this field will be increased lifespan,
better health, and higher intelligence. What also interests me is what kinds of
things they will come up with after that. Let your imagination loose, because
if ever there were a time to do so, it is now. We could make “super-humans”
capable of super-strength, winged flight, heat-vision, invisibility, etc. The
possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, it is very likely that such a “dangerous”
field will be heavily monitored by the government, so progress may be slow, but
it will be progress all the same. So that’s the future anyway, but I will
return to the “now” for a moment in order to discuss one issue that history
tells me will become a serious shunting force against getting this field off
the ground.
The one major hurdle that occurs to me is dealing with
religious opposition. I’m so fed up
with religious zealots at this point. I always listen to what they have to say
because it’s important to them, and I always hold back my outwardly atheistic
urges, out of respect; but mostly just because I know that they are so damn
stubborn that anything I say may as well not be said at all. But I’m fed up
with it. Sometimes I like to marvel at the brilliance of man, and think about
how far we have come from being basic single-celled organisms to what we are
today. But the stubborn ignorance of religious zealots and Jesus-freaks
sometimes makes me embarrassed to recognize myself as being the same species.
WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS. We all need to learn the importance of our own logic
and intuition, and of forging our own beliefs about life, reality, and our
purpose from our own life experiences—rather than have our parents tell us that we have to worship some guy
that was put to death 2000 years ago on the cross, lest we burn in hell for
eternity. That is complete and utter nonsense—really drives me up the wall
sometimes. I think that the real truth about our existence is so much more
amazing and beautiful than that, but I will hold my tongue and save my thoughts
on that matter for another post. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that
religious folks will accuse me and my fellow pioneers of “playing god”, an
accusation rooted in their belief that man was created by god. The thing is, we
have already scientifically proven that we are the product of evolution,
meaning that god had no say in the composition of our genome, so I don’t think
he will really mind if play around with it. Before we can progress, the
promising, young free-thinkers of my generation need to “win over” those of the
older generations who would oppose genome manipulation. Once we transcend that
hurdle, we will be well on our way towards creating the perfect being out of
ourselves.
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