Genetic Obsession in Silicon Valley: The Race for “Genius” Babies
In the technological epicenter of Silicon Valley, a new practice has emerged among the most exclusive circles: the genetic selection of embryos to favor a high intelligence quotient. Wealthy families are investing up to USD 50,000 in this goal, turning to startups such as Nucleus Genomics and Herasight, which use polygenic scoring to estimate disease risks and intelligence levels in embryos conceived through in vitro fertilization.
This trend is driven by the belief that intelligence could serve as a shield against existential risks, such as the uncontrolled advance of artificial intelligence. Advocates like Tsvi Benson-Tilsen, co-founder of the Berkeley Genomics Project, justify the initiative by claiming that a generation of highly gifted individuals could serve as a protective vanguard for humanity.
However, experts warn of the limitations and dangers of these practices. Scientific studies indicate that predicting IQ through polygenic scores offers only a marginal improvement perhaps just three or four points and its clinical reliability is questionable. It may also carry unintended risks: for example, inadvertently increasing the likelihood of autism, according to geneticist Sasha Gusev of Harvard Medical School.
From an ethical and scientific standpoint, outlets such as Popular Mechanics highlight the lack of robust backing for these methods. While companies like Herasight promote the technology as groundbreaking, experts see it as premature and linked to a troubling resurgence of eugenic ideas. A 2023 study published in Nature and guidelines from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (UK) maintain that these emerging strategies lack sufficient clinical validation.
Contemporary bioethicists point to disturbing parallels with historical episodes of genetic manipulation aimed at “improving” people. They warn of the potential creation of a genetically privileged elite and the deepening of social inequality.
The obsession with intelligence in Silicon Valley reflects the extreme value that intellectual capital holds in the posthuman era. Yet, the drive to guarantee a brilliant legacy through genomic selection clashes with both science and ethics. As of today, choosing embryos for their cognitive potential remains a speculative gamble, riddled with technical and moral uncertainties. True intelligence, experts conclude, arises from the complex interaction between genetics, environment, and education not from DNA alone.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/silicon-valley-high-iq-children-764234f8
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a65596640/embryo-iq