Steve Hsu - Intelligence, Embryo Selection, & The Future of Humanity

Human trait prediction and embryo selection are rapidly evolving through the application of machine learning to vast genomic datasets. Theoretical physicist Steve Hsu explains that the genetic architecture of complex human traits is largely additive and modular, enabling the development of polygenic risk scores that identify embryos with lower disease susceptibility. By analyzing biopsy data, companies like Genomic Prediction provide parents with health risk profiles, effectively navigating a high-dimensional space of genetic variants. While current applications focus on health, the underlying technology suggests a future where CRISPR-based multiplexed editing could optimize traits like longevity and physical health. This shift represents a fundamental change in human reproduction, moving from natural selection to a data-driven, engineered approach that challenges traditional evolutionary constraints and raises significant questions regarding societal inequality and the future of human biodiversity.