Directed evolution (transhumanism)
Concept in transhumanist discourses / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term directed evolution is used chiefly within the transhumanist community to refer to the idea of applying the principles of directed evolution and experimental evolution to the control of human evolution.[2] The concept has been described as the Holy Grail of transhumanism.[2]
"Humanity until this point has been a story of evolution for the survival [of] genes [...] Now we are entering a new phase of human evolution—evolution under reason—where human beings are masters of their destiny. Power has been transferred from nature to science."
Paradigmatically here, UCLA biophysicist and entrepreneur Gregory Stock – otherwise known for his best-selling books, some of which are expansive arguments in favor of a kind of new, liberal eugenics[3][4] – notes:
The human species is moving out of its childhood. It is time to acknowledge our growing powers and begin to take responsibility for them. We have no choice in this, for we have begun to play god in so many intimate realms of life that we could not turn back if we tried. Some, of course, believe we should stop our audacious incursions into the very fabric of human biology – at least until we can summon up more wisdom. But the way to find wisdom about our newfound capabilities is not by trying to deny them (and thereby relegating their exploration to outlaw nations and scientific renegades), but by using them judiciously, by carefully feeling our way forward, and yes, by making mistakes and learning from them.[5] [lower-alpha 2]
Stock even goes as far as positing that, in this spirit, "when we imagine Prometheus stealing fire from the [other] gods, we are not incredulous or shocked by his act. It is too characteristically human."[7]
Relevant to discussions over its ideological impartiality, Riccardo Campa of the IEET wrote that "self-directed evolution" can be coupled with many different political, philosophical, and religious views.[8] As such, it is comparable to techno-progressivism.