From: mk_thisisit
The advent of advanced technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is poised to fundamentally alter human evolution, potentially bringing about the “end of evolution in the traditional sense” [00:00:00], [00:01:14]. This transformation will occur as humans gain the ability to directly modify their own genetic code [00:00:09].
The Role of AI in Genetic Manipulation
AI is a pivotal force in driving advancements in genetic engineering [00:16:43]. Its application to other research and development areas, especially biology and genetics, is causing these fields to grow exponentially [00:16:37]. By leveraging AI for gene manipulation and modeling genetic changes digitally, researchers can bypass initial biological experiments in test tubes, accelerating the process significantly [00:16:45].
Within a decade, the combination of AI and CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) methods could lead to tools capable of freely manipulating the genetic code of humans, animals, and plants [00:17:20], [00:17:35].
Applications of Genetic Modification
The ability to manipulate the human genotype will lead to two primary categories of application:
Therapeutic Applications
Genetic engineering will enable the cure of previously incurable diseases, creating a significant branch of the economy dedicated to genome editing for therapeutic purposes and modification of DNA to treat cancer and other diseases [00:19:51]. This represents a significant step towards personalized medicine and targeted therapies [00:19:53].
Cosmetic Genetic Engineering
Beyond curing ailments, genetic manipulation can be used for cosmetic enhancements, making individuals younger, prettier, healthier, or stronger [00:20:03]. This also extends to pre-birth selection, where individuals can select genes for their offspring, a practice already underway [00:18:50].
The Evolution of Humanity
The development of these tools means that future generations will not necessarily be a distinct “homo technicus” species, but rather simply people with a “slightly changed genetic code” [00:20:23]. This signals a fundamental shift in human evolution [00:17:14].
While the human species, as currently understood, may evolve beyond its traditional biological definition, the vast majority of the population will still originate from “normal biological swarm” [00:18:42]. The core change lies in the availability of tools for genetic planning and manipulation for both unborn and already born individuals [00:18:50], [00:19:33].
Ethical and Societal Considerations
The scope of actual genetic manipulation will be subject to ongoing debate, including legal prohibitions and the costs associated with developing and testing these technologies [00:17:42]. Verifying the results of AI-developed genetic models against reality will be a critical stage [00:18:10]. These advancements raise significant ethical and evolutionary implications of human genome modification.
The blurring lines of what constitutes “humanity” are already evident with the rise of AI and artificial materials [00:00:13]. As AI and its derivatives exhibit characteristics traditionally attributed to humans, such as communication and emotional expression, the very concept of humanity is being redefined [00:03:39], [00:04:30]. The perception of AI by future generations, who grow up with constant interaction with such entities, will naturally include them within the cognitive environment [00:05:05].