Political/Moral/Ethical issue

[SuperSuit12]

Here's a theoretical situation that has theoretical solutions to racism and loveism.

Lets say we have the ability to replace the normal XY/XX chromosomes in our children with a new one (let's call it the Z chromosome). This causes whoever has it to have green skin and photosynthesize like plants, as well as being able to choose between male and female body parts (once they've reached a certain age, like 18 or whatever). Now, of course, these aren't going to be humans, most likely. You probably wouldn't think of them as being human. We now have this new species of intelligent beings (that are our children, still, though). There's no racism or loveism because they're all green and they have no set love.

So, this species has abilities we don't, and lets say they don't have any new health problems from any of this. That makes them genetically superior, right? Does this mean we're obligated to have ZZ children rather than normal children, since otherwise we'd basically be deciding our children would be inferior?

What about political superiority? Should these scientifically, provably better not-quite-humans be above us? Is there a reason they should be? A reason they shouldn't?

Discuss theoretical situation, please.

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[SetGaming]

i say give people the option to choose between zz or regular chromosomes

if i was having a child i'd choose giving them zz ones because that way they'd be better people, given the the chromosome has had thorough testing and has proven benefits

on political positions, best person for the job, there's notthing that says they'd be more intelligent

[RedGajin]

so youre asking...if we want to be a tree?

[TheABELBOTO]

Why tho

[Nonnel]

less interested in the race and love thing, more in photosynthesis. if I had the decision to make my child not have to eat for energy, ruling out that they'd ever starve to death, I'd obviously do that

[Master Matthew²]

I say let it grow.

[DrenDran]

This causes whoever has it to have green skin and photosynthesize like plants,

No creatures capable of autonomous movement much less sentience will be able to retrive even 1% of its required daily energy from photosynthesis. There's a reason why only stationary plants are the ones doing the photosynthesis.

as well as being able to choose between male and female body parts (once they've reached a certain age, like 18 or whatever).

Why 18? That's pretty arbitrary. If it's a one time thing the time would be the onset of puberty at around 12 or so.

Now, of course, these aren't going to be humans, most likely. You probably wouldn't think of them as being human.

If they can interbreed with humans than they are humans (if a subspecies). If they can't, then they're not.

We now have this new species of intelligent beings (that are our children, still, though). There's no racism or loveism because they're all green and they have no set love.

I mean just because it's a choice doesn't mean there can't be any prejudice associated with it. I mean gay people could totally choose to be celebrate but many don't and they've historically gotten flack for that. People could still hate those who choose to be one love or the other.

So, this species has abilities we don't, and lets say they don't have any new health problems from any of this. That makes them genetically superior, right? Does this mean we're obligated to have ZZ children rather than normal children, since otherwise we'd basically be deciding our children would be inferior?

I'd say that, yeah. If they're got abilities we don't and no real downsides, then there's no longer any reason for humans to exist. Seems simple enough. I mean if men could produce children on their own then I'd say we'd seriously need to consider if there's any logical reason to make new children female.

What about political superiority? Should these scientifically, provably better not-quite-humans be above us? Is there a reason they should be? A reason they shouldn't?

Being an autotroph does not mean you're better at making decisions, does it? You never mentioned any sort of improved cognitive abilities.

[Perry]

human genetics shouldn't be tampered with. that's crossing boundaries and is prone to severe abuse in the future.

[gr8dayseth]

yes let the plants take over

[DrenDran]

human genetics shouldn't be tampered with. that's crossing boundaries and is prone to severe abuse in the future.

That's some real Prole mentality you got there.
There's nothing special about us or our genes except for our ability to manipulate the world to suit our own goals.

[Daswiruch]

human genetics shouldn't be tampered with. that's crossing boundaries and is prone to severe abuse in the future.

i want to see weird-ass advancements in science and humans with weird-ass abilities created

[Perry]

That's some real Prole mentality you got there.
There's nothing special about us or our genes except for our ability to manipulate the world to suit our own goals.

exactly. the problem is 'suit our own goals'
genetic manipulation is prone to abuse. someone with their own interests and goals can do what they want with an unborn child's genetics and do a bunch of stuffty stuff.

from what we've seen so far, genetic manipulation causes a good portion of test subjects to be born with horrible defects and die a couple days later from development issues, which is already a moral problem of its own. it's just not right

[DrenDran]

exactly. the problem is 'suit our own goals'
genetic manipulation is prone to abuse. someone with their own interests and goals can do what they want with an unborn child's genetics and do a bunch of stuffty stuff.

from what we've seen so far, genetic manipulation causes a good portion of test subjects to be born with horrible defects and die a couple days later from development issues, which is already a moral problem of its own. it's just not right

You realize technology will probably improve right?
The idea that humanity will never do any large scale genetic engineering is pretty silly. We've got thousands of years of history yet to make.

[Lego lad]

You realize technology will probably improve right?
The idea that humanity will never do any large scale genetic engineering is pretty silly. We've got thousands of years of history yet to make.

can we make dinos again

[Mega-Bear]

All I know about this scenario is if I had the chance to photosynthesize I would. It would save so much time and effort spent on finding and eating food. Time which could then be spent on more stimulating activities.