DNA and possibility

[Angelo De Marco]

Hi, 

According to a lot of people, we are slaves of our DNA. So if we have not the correct genes, DNA, we could not become what we want to be. According to you, in future, will be possible to change DNA, and become what we want (genius, athletic, artist), and no more slaves of our destiny?
Thanks

[Anders Sandberg]

On 2015-06-13 19:46, Angelo De Marco wrote:

Hi, 

According to a lot of people, we are slaves of our DNA. So if we have not the correct genes, DNA, we could not become what we want to be. According to you, in future, will be possible to change DNA, and become what we want (genius, athletic, artist), and no more slaves of our destiny?

Yes. Except that we are not slaves of our DNA now either. DNA may be the foundation for our bodies, but what is built on top of it depends on environment and choices such as what we train ourselves to be. Plus a fair bit of luck.

Without the right genes I am unlikely to become an Olympian sprinter (I have the slow version of Rs1815739 in the ACTN3 gene) no matter how I train - but I could train myself for another sport. If I could replace it with the fast version I would still have to have the crazy motivation of the elite athletes in order to make use of it. Some of that may be genetic, but most likely a lot of it is learned.

Genes are just part of our story.

-- 
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University