A DYSTOPIAN FUTURE OF SOCIAL AND GENETIC ENGINEERING

Have you seen the 1997 movie called ´Gattaca´? I highly recommend it because it shows clearly the potential for a division in society once this technology, genetic engineering, becomes common place.

As we move deeper into the 21st century, the rapid advance of genetic engineering technology, (a laboratory-based process that alters an organism's DNA to change its form or function), carries the potential to create a future where human genetics are no longer a natural accident but a commodity controlled by the wealthy elite. Imagine a world where access to genetic enhancements is not just a matter of choice, but a status symbol, reserved for the few who can afford it. This new frontier of biotechnology could cement the division between the haves and have-nots, creating a new caste system grounded in genetics and access to the most advanced technology.

Genetic Engineering: A Tool for Social Stratification

The concept of genetic improvement is not just science fiction. In fact, we are already witnessing the early stages of genetic engineering in areas like gene editing, with CRISPR technology (a technology used to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms) offering the potential to alter human DNA. In a society where wealth determines access to this technology, those who can afford a genetic upgrade will likely have the ability to enhance their genetic traits. These improvements could include increased intelligence, physical strength, resistance to disease, or even the ability to live longer.

Over time, these upgrades could become so advanced that they will not be optional or incidental but expected, creating an upper class of "genetically perfect" individuals. Meanwhile, those who cannot afford genetic enhancements could find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty, their natural biology perceived as inferior, placing them at the bottom ranks of a new class system defined by genetics.

The Rise of a New Caste System 

In this dystopian world, the genetically enhanced elite would dominate society - politically, economically, and culturally. Their superior health, intelligence, and longevity would create a stark contrast with the lower classes, whose unenhanced genetics would limit their prospects and opportunities. The system would be further entrenched by laws and policies that favor the elite, from exclusive access to healthcare to educational institutions that prioritize those with enhanced intelligence or physical abilities. 

This caste system would not just be a matter of class in the traditional sense. Instead, it would be a system rooted in biology, where one’s genetic makeup would determine their place in society. People born without access to genetic enhancement would find themselves marginalized in almost every area of life - from employment opportunities to social status, and even the ability to form relationships. The very structure of society would be built upon genetic superiority, where those with access to enhancements would be seen as more valuable or worthy. 

Segregated Living: The Elite Beyond Earth

One of the most disturbing possibilities in this dystopian future is the potential for complete physical separation between the genetically enhanced elite and the rest of humanity. While genetic modifications initially create social and economic barriers on Earth, they would eventually enable and justify the elite's exodus to the stars. Their enhanced biology - specifically engineered for the challenges of space travel and extraterrestrial living - would make them the natural pioneers of space colonization. While the lower classes may remain confined to Earth, the wealthy elite could establish colonies in exclusive extraterrestrial environments. Potential destinations include: 

1. Mars Colonies: Fully self-sufficient communities designed to escape Earth's environmental and social instability. 

2. Orbital Habitats: Rotating space stations offering luxury and advanced living conditions near Earth. 

3. Distant Moons (Europa or Titan): Isolated hubs fostering unique, elite cultures far removed from Earth’s challenges. 

In these segregated elite living environments, genetic modifications could be seen as a prerequisite for admission. Only those who meet certain genetic standards would be allowed to live in these space colonies, ensuring that the ruling class remains separate from the rest of humanity. These environments would offer not only physical safety but also the promise of a higher quality of life, with advanced healthcare, enhanced intellectual opportunities, protection from Earth's environmental and societal issues and a level of luxury that Earth’s lower classes could only dream of. 

The physical distance between these elite colonies and Earth would only deepen the divide between the two groups, making it increasingly difficult for the lower classes to rise above their predetermined place in society. Over time, this physical separation could lead to the development of two entirely distinct human cultures, with the elite space colonies becoming a society of genetically enhanced superhumans, and the people on Earth becoming increasingly dependent on the elite´s handouts for survival.

The Death of Equality in a Post-Genetic Era

In a world where genetic engineering has become a tool for social control, the fundamental principles of equality and human dignity could be at risk. The widespread use of genetic enhancements would not only create inequality between the rich and the poor but also between individuals within each class. As society becomes more obsessed with genetic perfection, the pressure to conform to genetic standards would be immense. Those who are seen as “genetically inferior,” whether because of age, disability, or natural genetics, could find themselves facing a dark existence in the workforce and society. 

This societal pressure could lead to a decrease in the value placed on personal identity, as people may be judged more on their genetics than their achievements or character. In this world, genetics would become the ultimate measure of worth, and anyone who doesn’t fit the ideal could be systematically excluded and pushed to the margins of society. It is not difficult to imagine how these divisions could breed resentment and even unrest, as those without access to genetic enhancements would protest the growing inequality and the social divide that separates them from the genetically enhanced elite. 

A Future Shaped by Genes and Wealth

The potential for genetic engineering to reshape society is vast and powerful. As the technology continues to evolve, so too will the possibilities for how it can be used to either bridge or widen the gap between different classes. If left unchecked, the genetic enhancements of the elite could lead to a world where social mobility is a thing of the past, and the genetics of one’s birth determine their entire future. 

The future of social and genetic engineering will ultimately depend on how society chooses to regulate and control these technologies. Without safeguards in place, we may very well find ourselves in a world where genetic enhancement becomes a tool of oppression, and the genetic caste system becomes the foundation upon which society is built. 

Whether humanity chooses to embrace a future of equality or division will depend on our collective decisions in the coming decades, and whether we can ensure that biotechnology serves the greater good, not just the elite few.

Thanks for reading. Abrazos.

Diego Rojas