Part 6/13:
Metzl warns that harnessing these technologies without careful regulation risks creating a deeply divided world where the wealthy could engineer superior offspring, conferring massive advantages in intelligence, health, and longevity. He illustrates how nations like China are rapidly advancing in genetic sciences and have already created genetically modified babies—actions that ignite fears of a biotech arms race.
He advocates for a global conversation, akin to the treaties surrounding nuclear non-proliferation, to set standards and guardrails that balance scientific progress and ethical limits. The core challenge: ensuring equitable access, preventing misuse, and avoiding societal divides shaped by genetic enhancements.