We must de-stigmatize eugenics

[Fireball]

At some point, humans will have to re-engineer some of the population to re-occupy vacant slots in the bio-sphere due to human predation and/or loss of habitat to various currently extant useful species.

I'd say an early variant to be engineered would be a human derived, but non-sentient, replacement for cattle.  Meat eating will always be a demand of the populace, and this is how that issue can be fixed.

A human derived 'food' animal would be designed to survive and thrive on a very inferior/subsistence diet and yet remain tasty, nutritious, and tender to eat.

I'd note the nations basements are filled with prototypes even today.  Overweight game addicts would have some useful genes for this project.  A little work on flavor and survivability, and you'd have it.  I also note, they would have to be docile and easy to subdue.  Shouldn't be too hard to dial in something very successful.

Somebody is channeling Jonathan Swift.
 

Given that I already have a child with down syndrome, I can emphatically tell you that I would NOT abort a baby if I knew it was going to be born with ANY kind of disability.

As to the first question - looks aren't everything. I'd rather surround myself with beautiful minds.  People I can connect with on a mental level.

I wasn't advocating abortion. I'm advocating birth control. Though I will admit that that is still the couple's call, not mine.

[vorlon13]

Niven and Pournelle, actually.

[Joods]

You would say that..though, wouldn't you?

I say it despite the fact that I suffer from bipolar disorder myself. If you knew your fetus had the genes for bipolar, you should abort.

You somehow seem to be of the attitude that those with some sort of "defect" can't or won't live happy and productive lives.

It's sad that you choose to have such a closed off mind that way. My kid doesn't suffer. She's happy and she's done many things I'm proud of. My daughter was the first child in our school district, with DS to ride a regular bus. Despite having an IEP, she spent less than 4% of her time away from a regular classroom. While the other kids were learning math, she was too. She was learning at her pace, all the while being kept with her classmates. She graduated in 2016, at age 20, walking off the stage with all of her friends. She got more cheers from the crowd of people there than anyone else. AND she made the front page of the paper. How in the world is that suffering?

Perhaps you wouldn't be so quick to judge or to suggest that anyone who's "different" than what society deems "normal", be aborted, if you knew how many folks out there go on to lead wonderful lives. You miss out on so much this way. I feel sorry for people like you.

I also happen to know several people with bipolar disorder and medication helps them lead normal lives. And they are some damn fine people that contribute a lot to this world.

[FatAndFaithless]

How about people just marry and fuck who they want to marry and fuck, hm?

[Foxaèr]

I can see eugenics working for humanity.

Unfortunately, the question is, upon whom are we depending to decide what is best for humanity?

[Fireball]

Niven and Pournelle, actually.

Oh, right..."meats", as they were  referred to in The Mote in God's Eye.

[vorlon13]

we have a winner . . .

[Anomalocaris]

Niven and Pournelle, actually.

Oh, right..."meats", as they were  referred to in The Mote in God's Eye.

Note in god’s eye and gripping hand were both over rated.

[The Valkyrie]

I can see eugenics working for humanity.

Unfortunately, the question is, upon whom are we depending to decide what is best for humanity?

Me.

[Fireball]

Oh, right..."meats", as they were  referred to in The Mote in God's Eye.

Note in god’s eye and gripping hand were both over rated.

One man's meats are another man's poisons.