Brave New World, Genetic Alterations - Should there be a limit? Options

[*ersatz*]

My boyfriend and I just had a very nice, long discussion about genetic alterations and progressions of these alterations so far as to create a sort of 'superhuman' race. I'm interested to see the opinions of others on this, as the two of us obviously did not represent all sides to the argument.

My own proposition was that there should indeed be ethical limits on genetic alterations. I would never want to see people created for the sole purpose of being slaves or fighting wars, even if cognitive abilities used to understand what they were doing were eliminated. Or, if warlike and other instincts were somehow removed through progressions in the neurological field (one of his suggestions), I wouldn't want to see every single person as a superhuman with the only purpose of working toward development and progression because what would be the point without anyone with the cognitive abilities and instincts to enjoy it?

I made the title 'Brave New World' because the book ties directly into the subject (as does Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, which I recently read) and during our discussion, I found out that it could in fact be interpreted differently than I had, as my boyfriend got the exact opposite point out of it (that complete furthering of genetic alterations would be wonderful).

Go.

[*Flair*]

I think genetic alterations would cause chaos in the world we live in. Everyone would want to alter their kids. As if there isn't enough segregation. The genetically altered kids (who probably would be the goodlooking ones) wouldn't want to mix with the natural ones.

I agree with Kimmytree, but that's as far as I can go.

I'm not really for it.

Edit//

You really got me thinking. I'm asuming that rich people would be the only ones who could afford genetic alternating. What about the low class citizens?
Also, I'm pretty sure that being 'natural' would be considered as old school.

[kimmytree]

No, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I would support that. That's putting a limit on genetic alterations - no actual artificial complete beings.

Oh! Then yay.

You really got me thinking. I'm asuming that rich people would be the only ones who could afford genetic alternating. What about the low class citizens?
Also, I'm pretty sure that being 'natural' would be considered as old school.

Well, for medical reasons - I hope that would be something that insurance would cover, just like they would any other procedure. But when it comes to changing appearances, athletic ability, intelligence, etc... that should never be allowed. Because then it would only be obtainable by the rich upper class. Then we would be even more divided. Could you imagine everyone else staying normal, and then the rich basically creating a superior race? That's 'bout what it would be like. Not only would they be the richest, but they would be smarter, better looking, and more athletic. How would anyone who wasnt rich climb their way to the top like they do today?