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.

[xKatt]

Please explain "superhuman"? What are the benefits of a superhuman race?

Regardless, I completely disagree with genetic alteration completely. It would create more problems than solve. People would die during failed experiments which would lead to greater disputes and protests on the ethicality of genetic alteration (if that isn't already happening now). Millions, if not billions of dollars would be spent on research, facilities, educating a new wave of scientists, and of course the execution of alteration in itself.

Superhumanity could lead to mass chaos. Imagine a mass murderer being granted superhuman powers. Can you say evil, invincible dictator that will bite your head off if you disobey?

The idea of genetically altering anything brings to mind deformed, wasted and permenantly damaged creatures, not medical breakthrough.

Cloning and stem cell research is about as far as I'll go.