Voluntary DNA testing has been enormously-popular as millions of people have taken advantage of these services in order to trace their origins or uncover whether or not they’re likely to develop certain health problems. This has fueled research into using DNA to predict intelligence, and recent breakthroughs are paving the way for this type of testing to become commercially-viable.
While this may seem like an interesting idea on the surface, it also opens up a Pandora’s box in terms of how these tests can be used to limit opportunities for individuals who don’t score well. The question is whether or not this will lead to a segregated society in the future, and these are legitimate concerns that we should all be thinking about before we go down that road. Here are a few examples of how this type of testing can be used against us in the future.
Educational Opportunities
There are already rumors floating around that certain elite schools, even pre-schools, are using DNA testing to filter out “undesirables” in their admission processes. These schools are, by design, built on the premise that more-intelligent students should have access to better teachers and premium educational services, and parents are willing to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to give their “bright” kids access to those opportunities. Additionally, they can learn alongside other little geniuses, and this can instill the idea that a class-based system is perfectly acceptable in their minds from a young age.
If this approach works, it’s only a matter of time before the public educational system will also take advantage of DNA testing to make more-efficient use of limited resources and provide services to students based on their capacity to learn. If you doubt that possibility, just look at how many charter schools are already using a test-based approach to determine what students are accepted. It’s not a big leap to go from generalized testing to using someone’s DNA instead.
Employment Opportunities
Educational and employment opportunities go hand-in-hand. Not only do applicants who graduate from better schools have a competitive-advantage already, but employers can use DNA to determine whether or not they will excel in their careers as well. Consequently, we could see people become limited in terms of their capacity to earn, and this ceiling can be set in stone from a very young age.
Relationships
Imagine how many couples who are in serious relationships would love to use DNA testing to determine the potential intelligence of offspring they produce. This would create an incentive to partner up with “more-suitable” mates. As crazy as this sounds, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility, as “quality” children often improve the quality of lives of parents as well.
An even darker possibility associated with this type of test is that parents, or even the government, can use it to determine whether or not unborn babies should be allowed into this world if they’re not going to be smart enough. We’re already in an age where a pregnant mother can have their baby tested for disease or illness, and this is used by many to decide whether or not to carry the baby to term or end the pregnancy.
These are just a few examples of how DNA testing for intelligence can turn into a phenomenon that welcomes social engineering with open arms if we’re not careful. Unfortunately, there will be millions of people who lack the foresight to consider these ramifications as they focus on themselves and how this type of testing can improve their lives and the lives of their children. Let’s just hope that enough people will have the good-sense to prevent this from becoming a norm in society.
