3
$\begingroup$

Could we select peaceful and thoughtful people based on their DNA traits?

I know thoughtful can sometimes bring some sort of violence, but if we could select only the fit, peaceful, and thoughtful humans, would we do that?


It would be selected from a "bucket" of sperm and then only those who qualify would be inserted into the egg.

$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ Isn't procreation selection based on DNA kind of aggressive and arrogant in itself? $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 16:34
  • $\begingroup$ So you seems to be asking two questions. 1) WOULD we select to only have fit, peaceful, and thoughtful humans if we could? 2) Why would or why wouldn't it work? The first question has a LOT to consider. We aren't supposed to determine what your characters or groups would do, so much as if it's plausible. The second part can be answered more easily. I would assume it's either too complicated for them to do effectively or (if they can do it effectively) why stop with just those traits? Just make perfect humans in general. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 17:29
  • $\begingroup$ @ChronoD "Just make perfect humans in general" - that's the red area we're getting into, there was an Austrian guy who was crazy for having Perfect Humans, you know his name is something like Arnold or something,oh I mean Adolf, Gosh! they think alike! $\endgroup$
    – Kyle
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 17:37
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Dear @Mr.Derpinthoughton . You are asking a community that made great efforts to develop plans to destroy this world, this species, this star system or this universe. There are at least a dozen plans to drug, hypnotise or otherwise manipulate people. We found out how to create armies of perfect soldiers and what to do with them after the war is over. Literally the last thing anyone here will do is to judge you just because you want to select humans based on their DNA. $\endgroup$
    – JFBM
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 18:41
  • $\begingroup$ I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it seems to be a philosophical/psychological question. The basic answer is yes, some doctor may feel like playing god and start fiddling with DNA, pulling others in. However, the real events are depending on so many factors that if it wouldn't be off-topic, it would be too broad. I think one has to ask this question to one-self at least once in life, but the answer is as individual as every human. Would you if you could? $\endgroup$
    – JFBM
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 18:49

1 Answer 1

6
$\begingroup$

Peaceful and thoughtful is not necessarily related to DNA. Your environment and upbringing, your personal beliefs, your philosophical and/or religious position, educational level, your age. These all play a factor in how peaceful and thoughtful you are. We also have yet to identify the gene that produces peacefulness or thoughtfulness. Some scientists May argue that these traits are not genetic in nature. And even if they are genes are clearly just one factor that will determine your peaceful and thoughtful level.

$\endgroup$
9
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Even more, i am pretty sure that most people, even if they are peaceful, thoughtful and intelligent, will eventually fight if only thy are threatened badly enough. $\endgroup$
    – Burki
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 13:27
  • $\begingroup$ @Burki that's what think would happen $\endgroup$
    – Kyle
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 17:17
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Burki do you know the poem If a good man goes to war? I don't really want a thoughtful and intelligent enemy... $\endgroup$
    – JFBM
    Commented Apr 1, 2016 at 18:57
  • $\begingroup$ @Brian , a lot of what you say is opinion and speculation. You may as well be saying everyone is war-like in nature. There are peaceful chimps, who would rather have sex than engage in aggression. This is obviously genetics at work. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 3, 2016 at 15:34
  • $\begingroup$ @Tim Spriggs You make a lot of assumptions. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 4, 2016 at 0:11

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .