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Once we understand the genetic architecture of human intelligence, couples will use existing fertility technologies to increase their offsprings’ average IQ. Today, couples who carry harmful genes, such as those responsible for cystic fibrosis, sometimes use embryo selection to avoid passing on these damaging genes to their kids.
After the technology is proven, liberals would likely demand that governments subsidise genetic engineering to preserve any hope at equality of opportunity between the children of the rich and poor. Conservatives in the United States would support it for fear that if their nation doesn’t raise the next generation’s IQ but competing countries do, America would become economically and militarily uncompetitive.
Most everyone thinks that these enhanced children eventually will become extremely productive workers who make the world vastly richer.
But expectations of a much smarter and therefore richer tax base would alleviate both of these concerns and so, for every given level of interest rate, boost government borrowing.
Read full, original post: Genetically enhancing our children could raise interest rates