Can Humans Create a 'Super Race' Without Discarding Genetic Disorders?

[waht]

If you were to select healthy and smart people from our gene pool (in hopes of creating better humans), and let them reproduce in isolation without further intervention, would the generations of offspring down the line still develop the same ailments that the general population develops? Assuming that the genetic diversity is kept the same. My hunch of course is yes. If so then it is not possible to create the "super race" without constantly discarding individuals with genetic disorders.

 

[jim mcnamara]

There is something called the "founder effect" in gene pools. Whenever a few humans colonize an isolated area, their descendants often show a lot of specialized - often not too favorable - traits. Overall, this is not a great idea for this and other reasons.
One being that your idea of what 'smart' means and my idea could be radically different.

The big one being that you would create optimal genetic disequilbrium - meaning genetic diversity would be low; one one new disease, for example, could kill everybody off.

Founder Example: Navajos from the Chinle area have very high rates of near-sightedness and age-related deafness. The Navajo people were isolated and did not intermarry with other peoples very much. From the 1300's up until 1900's.

 

[ravenprp]

The idea of creating a "super race" by selectively breeding individuals with desirable traits is not only ethically problematic, but it is also based on flawed assumptions about genetics and human development.

Firstly, the concept of a "super race" is deeply concerning as it implies that certain individuals are superior to others based on their genetic makeup. This kind of thinking has been used to justify discrimination and oppression throughout history and should be rejected.

Furthermore, the assumption that selecting only healthy and smart individuals from our gene pool will result in a genetically superior population is oversimplified. Genetics is complex, and there are many factors that contribute to the development of traits and disorders. Even if we were to isolate and breed individuals with desirable traits, there is no guarantee that their offspring will inherit those traits or be free from genetic disorders.

In fact, by limiting genetic diversity, we may actually increase the risk of certain disorders. Genetic diversity is essential for a healthy population as it allows for a range of adaptations and variations that can help individuals survive and thrive in different environments. By only selecting a small group of individuals, we are limiting this diversity and potentially increasing the risk of inherited disorders.

It is also important to consider that many genetic disorders are caused by mutations that occur spontaneously and are not inherited. This means that even if we were to isolate and breed individuals without genetic disorders, their offspring could still develop these disorders due to new mutations.

In short, trying to create a "super race" by selectively breeding individuals is not only unethical, but it is also not scientifically sound. Our understanding of genetics and human development is far too limited to successfully engineer a genetically superior population. Instead, we should focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity, and providing support and resources for individuals with genetic disorders.