A genetically modified paradise

The program of transition of human civilization from the industrial to the digital age, which began in early 2020, moved the peoples of the earth and we made a noise like a beehive disturbed.

Enthusiasts around the world look forward to the masses with their vision of the essence of the events taking place, wanting to ride this wave of change. Some, out of habit, began to criticize the future prospects of the new era and the methods of their implementation. Their opponents have begun to systematically develop potential prospects. People, with their specific inertia, prefer not to be burdened with excessive reflections on the future and choose to believe in the past.

This has always happened at the intersection of the transition of times. About two hundred years ago, we entered the industrial age. The discovery and introduction of electricity in production chains have launched the process of complete restructuring of the entire system to support human life. Fundamentally new capabilities have left in the past the mode of production and culture of life, which were based mainly on the muscular traction of humans and animals. This is how our civilization moves, passing from one era to another, starting with the invention of the wheel and up to today's perspectives of genetic engineering.

People who lived a little over two hundred years ago could not even imagine what awaited us in the industrial age with skyscrapers, smartphones, etc. Genetic engineering opens up opportunities that we can hardly imagine today. New technologies are boldly introduced not only in our environment, but also in ourselves. Thus, the first genetically modified people were already born.

In front of any person and society as a whole, there are tasks of vital circumstances. In the industrial age, we solve them with its characteristic force. In the post-industrial era, we will consequently use new opportunities to solve problems and tasks. Let's imagine: will all the conflicts caused by the eternal competition between countries and peoples disappear overnight? Obviously, this is unlikely. If we solve these problems earlier through the constant development of the technical-military industry, then how will the new possibilities of genetic editing help us in solving these problems?

The director of the Kurceatov Institute, MV Kovalciuk, claims that science is still able to edit human genes so that, for example, he does not feel afraid at all. Will society give up such perspectives, especially in a critical situation? Unlikely, because she just did not give up nuclear weapons, despite the total danger to the whole world. Eyelashes can also be edited so that, for example, the girl is the most beautiful. Will girls be able to refuse such a perspective? The question, as we all understand, is rhetorical. Likewise, in all other tasks they are placed in front of man and society: medicine, economics, social management, etc.

When we entered the industrial age, it promised us a technocratic paradise. And for some reason, as we worked eight hours a day, giving us all the vital energy of the life support system, so it remained, confirming the saying that there is no Heaven without God. In fact, we have only accumulated global environmental, social, cultural, etc. problems.

Something tells me that the age of genetic engineering has its own dark side, moreover, it could become fatal for us as a species.

And what is the alternative? Let's go back to the industrial age, which gave birth to eight billion consumers, with ever-increasing demand? This is absolutely impossible, because the Earth's resources are certainly depleted.

An interesting thing turns out: we can't go forward, but we can't go back either. It is received that only up or down. In other words, it's time to think: is our civilization going in the right direction?

Author: Valerii Catruc