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The Reproductive Revolution David Pearce

The Reproductive Revolution David Pearce. Abstract

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The Reproductive Revolution David Pearce

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  1. The Reproductive RevolutionDavid Pearce Abstract Since the Cambrian explosion, pain and suffering have been inseparable from the existence of life on Earth. However, a major evolutionary transition is now in prospect. One species of social primate has evolved the capacity to master biotechnology, rewrite its own genetic source code, and abolish the molecular signature of experience below "hedonic zero" throughout the living world. This talk explores one aspect of the evolutionary transition ahead, namely the reproductive revolution of designer babies. How much of traditional "human nature" do we want to conserve? David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  2. The Reproductive RevolutionDavid Pearce “May all that have life be delivered from suffering” -Gautama Buddha (trad. c.566 BC - c.480 BC) “We advocate the well-being of all sentience, including humans, non-human animals, and any future artificial intellects, modified life forms, or other intelligences to which technological and scientific advance may give rise.” -The Transhumanist Declaration (1998, last updated 2009) www.humanityplus.org/learn/philosophy/transhumanist-declaration David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  3. The Reproductive Revolution Recursively self-improving organic robots can modify their own genetic source code and bootstrap our way to full-spectrum super intelligence. Genetically enhanced humans can recalibrate the hedonic treadmill, abolish ageing and disease, and phase out suffering throughout the living world. David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com - www.reproductive-revolution.com

  4. The Reproductive Revolution Darwinian life is typically "nasty, brutish and short". But later in the 21st century, every cubic metre of planet Earth will be computationally accessible to surveillance, micromanagement and control. God-like power brings complicity. At the molecular level, how much much pain and suffering do we want to conserve in the living world? David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  5. The Reproductive Revolution Traditional Sexual Reproduction versus Designer Babies David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  6. The Case for Universal Preimplantation Genetic DiagnosisCase Study One: SCN9A Gene A single gene plays the dominant role in our level of pain-sensitivity Variant alleles of the gene SCN9A code for the a-subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 in nociceptive neurons Activating mutations in SCN9A lead to rare conditions such as “man on fire” syndrome - relentless, searing pain • Inactivating mutations cause a complete absence of pain • Other alleles cause unusually high, or unusually low, pain sensitivity Reimann et al, Pain perception is altered by a nucleotide polymorphism in SCN9A, Proc Natl Acad Sci. USA. 2010 Mar 16; 107(11):5148-53. David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  7. The Case for Universal Preimplantation Genetic DiagnosisCase Study Two: COMT Gene WichersM, Aguilera M, Kenis G, Krabbendam L, Myin-Germeys I, Jacobs N, Peeters F, Derom C, Vlietinck R, Mengelers R, Delespaul P, van Os J (December 2008). "The catechol-O-methyl transferase Val158Met polymorphism and experience of reward in the flow of daily life". Neuropsychopharmacology33 (13): 3030–6. David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  8. Pitfalls David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com - www.reproductive-revolution.com

  9. Selection Pressure in a Post-Darwinian World The "blind" genetic roulette of natural selection will shortly be replaced by a novel kind of selection pressure. Prospective parents will pre-selectalleles and allelic combinations for a new child in anticipation of their psychological and behavioural effects. David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

  10. “Nothing is too wonderful to be true if it be consistent with the laws of Nature.” -Michael Faraday Action: Join Humanityplus.org Philosophy: Abolitionist.com The End David Pearce - www.abolitionist.com

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