The oddest question you have (probably) heard today.

[Aegrus]

As genetic engineering becomes more widespread, (a good thing, in my opinion, what with all the medical benefits),

The concept is called 'eugenics'


I recommend the 1997 film 'Gattaca' for an alternate view.

Gattaca is a 1997 science fiction film written and directed by Andrew Niccol. It stars Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law with supporting roles played by Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, Gore Vidal and Alan Arkin.

The film presents a biopunk vision of a society driven by liberal eugenics where potential children are selected through preimplantation genetic diagnosis to ensure they possess the best hereditary traits of their parents.[1] A genetic registry database uses biometrics to instantly identify and classify those so created as "valids" while those conceived by traditional means are derisively known as "in-valids". While genetic discrimination is forbidden by law, in practice it is easy to profile a person's genotype resulting in the valids qualifying for professional employment while the in-valids—considered more susceptible to disease, educational dysfunction and shorter lifespans—are relegated to menial jobs.

The movie draws on concerns over reproductive technologies which facilitate eugenics, and the possible consequences of such technological developments for society. It also explores the idea of destiny and the ways in which it can and does govern lives. Characters in Gattaca continually battle both with the society and with themselves to find their place in the world and who they are destined to be according to their genes. The title is based on the initial letters of the four DNA nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine). During the credits the letters G, A, T, and C are all highlighted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattica


I did indeed see the movie Gattaca a while ago. I wanted the protagonist to get caught the entire time, just so he wouldn't end up causing the mission to fail.
Not pictured in the movie- him passing out due to vulnerability to g-forces, and the subsequent crash into the countryside.

On the other hand, it would really suck to be the percent of the human population born without perfect appearance and abilities. I think genetic perfection would be great- as long as no one knew who was modified and who was not. That way, they would judge by ability and not genetics who was best for a job.

Ultimately, I think that years of practice and perseverance could make an imperfect person more skilled than a "perfect" one who didn't try very hard.

[R-e-n-n-a-t]

Hey, Aegrus? You know what a virus is, yes? Well, it's the not-really-alive-things that just reproduce, expand, and kill. They can't change much of anything. Humans are hosts who are full of plenty of cells, just ready to explode (not mutate) with young viruses.

[ReB]

I think it could be possible within time. Humanity isn't that advanced yet.