Where Is Human Evolution Heading?

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I think they should use this technology to rid this earth of pedos before making beautiful babies.. looking too far into the future instead of focusing on the problems of the present.

Bob Sagan of AL 4:53PM March 25, 2013

First of all when you say that being Deaf/deaf is a disability that is completely untrue, and is very RUDE. Even though we may be hearing and you think we have a better life, the Deaf community and the hearing people in it could agree that they have a better life. So don't call being deaf a disability. And also you have to have your facts down that if your parents are deaf they are considered Deaf and if they want a child who is deaf, the child would be Deaf. So you can find out the reasons why but get your facts completely straight before giving an opinion.

Willis of PA 8:35AM March 21, 2013

first off lets not say this is wrong because of what some fictional character in a book might have to say about it. This kind of technology should show that we have the potential to be gods. Sure some peoples morals might be against this saying its not natural. but what is really natural in the world we live in these days? If we have the ability to have our child healthier,smarter,faster,stronger, whatever, would it be wrong not do this for them? what parent says they would do anything to protect there child, isn't this a way of protecting them?

Greg of IN 3:39PM March 18, 2013

After reading this article, I never realized how our society is using human evolution in such a negative way. They are trying to produce children with traits that are their personal idea of "perfection". They are trying to customize their own children. Pregnancy is suppose to be something that is a gift from God, and is a special gift to a parent. Even if a child is born with Autism, they are still treated with the same love as a child without Autism or any other birth defect.

Ferouz Naser of CA 12:16AM February 28, 2013

The article “Where Is Human Evolution Heading?” brought many new ideas to my attention. I haven't thought too much about the evolution of the human race, but I learned that humans have changed a lot throughout their existence. It's interesting that humans have been able to change to deal with new types of diseases. I never knew that humans had to develop the ability to digest lactose. I also learned that assortative mating can help determine if the child will have certain diseases or characteristics. I'm not too sure what to think about the issue of parents changing their offspring's genes. I can see both pros and cons to this. It would be wonderful to help avoid diseases and birth defects, but I feel like there's a point where the child should be left alone and not altered. As for how I think humans are going to continue to evolve, I believe that by assortative mating the human race will continue to become smarter.

Michael Bench of CA 2:27PM February 23, 2013

I feel as though our evolution is growing rapidly, and may be heading in a different direction, than our ancestors would have ever imagined. However I find it absolutely mind blowing that we are able to pick and choose; what we as parents, would like our child to have. However, I feel as though being able to pick and choose may have, defeated the whole purpose of the pregnancy. In addition I’ve learned that this has been going on since 1990, where gene therapy was first tested, and to add that Preimplantation genetic diagnosis, also known as PGD, has taken place almost “20 years so, as a way to reduce the odds of a child inheriting a deadly genetic disorder.” Moreover to find out that many figured out that they could use this method to pick an “embryos tissue type, so that the ensuing child could serve as a stem cell or bone marrow donor.” Consequently this is just like going to a store and being able to pick which baby you could see yourself raising. I do have some mix feelings about this, but I wouldn’t knock it down. I would like to learn more about this and find out the pros and cons.

Angela Alari of CA 2:09AM February 21, 2013

I think our evolution is heading in the direction that could change how we look and deal with imperfections that is beneficial and not destructive. I'm in favor of a healthy and almost-perfect embryo. I don't believe anyone wants to go through the ordeal of an embryo growing up with a disorder or some kind of defect that can't be handled on their own simply because they haven't faced it themselves. I think human evolution is at a stand-still right now. Our technology has grown, but our brain development and body haven't matured enough yet. We still don't understand what the repercussions are for having a perfect child, or what the child will think of you, being imperfect yourself, in a world that hates imperfection and will do almost anything to be...better.

brandon of CA 9:15PM February 01, 2013

I find it very interesting to see the advancement we have made in the manipulation of genes in human conception. The fact that we can choose a babies sex and certain cosmetic traits is truly fascinating. I for one think that choosing all the traits of your unborn child, is like going to the store and choosing your own Christmas gift. It just takes all the surprise out of the equation. I can see that you want your baby to be born healthy, but their is a fine line between tweaking a few genes and playing God. I personally have mixed feelings about altering human kind in order to adapt for the future. Humans are very adaptable as we have seen through evolution and we should give ourselves a chance to evolve and adapt naturally. I also believe in survival of the fittest. I know that sometimes nature can be cruel and not give us exactly what we want, but sometimes we have to let nature take it course.

Hernan Pelayo of CA 1:57PM January 30, 2013

Lets not forget the consumption of genetically altered plant and animal. Sterility has been proven in some animals that consume genetically altered food, not in the current gen, but in two or three generations later, did scientists see the adverse effect. So what impact does this have on our evolution??

Kenneth of TX 3:27AM January 17, 2013

Alex, we have an obesity problem because people are inactive and stuff their face with anything and everything they find appealing. Poor self control is the reason for some. I know that things like Thyroid issues can be the cause for others, among other things. But majority of the people are just living lazy lifestyles. Im not saying im some healthy "Let's go to them gym, bro." type of guy because im not. It's an observation. watch the habits of others and you'll notice what I mean.

Toki of TX 2:02AM November 09, 2012