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Monday, March 25, 2013

Genetically Enhanced Humans - more from Gurps

So, just to prove to you how valuable and interesting Gurps is, I randomly turned to this page where Genetically Enhanced Humans is one of the headings. As you may imagine, in the future, genetic enhancement will be available and science will be able to make people 'better.' Better might include the ability to see in the dark, or breathe water. Better might be faster or stronger. Or better might be whatever your parents decide.

So, pop quiz. Would you take a genetic enhancement if it were available? Assuming it was perfectly safe, of course...and if so what sort of enhancement would you purchase? If not, why not?

One genetic enhancement I wouldn't mind having is better than 20/20 vision (and I don't even have that). Imagine how cool it would be to be able to see farther, clearly.


 Just think, I might be able to see all the way to that point, identify that boat, zoom in to see who's on board...



   

54 comments:

  1. Teeth!! I'd love to do something to give me perfect teeth! No more dental appts!!

    Yay! take care
    x

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    1. not a bad idea, I think I'll second 'perfect teeth.'

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  2. Despite what most men would say, I'd go with nothing. It's not perfect, but it's all me, and I can live with that. Even though perfect vision would be nice...

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  3. I like Kitty's idea. I hate going to the dentist. And perfect vision would be good too.

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  4. This is such a tough question. Although we all seem to have a least a little urge to be perfect, what makes the world so cool is our uniqueness. I liked wondering what my kids would look like and what type of personality they'd have. Choosing that...hmm...I don't think that'd be for me. BUT...I have broken my nose twice. So, if I could have ordered a perfect unbreakable nose for myself I probably would have.

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    1. owch. I broke my nose once. Can't imagine twice.

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  5. Yikes! I'm not sure about getting an enhancement. But I really love your new pic. Its beautiful.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  6. I was going to say perfect vision too. And I wouldn't mind having a super ramped up metabolism for once either. :)

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    1. That would be awesome to be able to eat whatever you wanted and always be able to burn it off.

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  7. yep, I'd buy me X-ray vision (which I may or may not misuse in naughty purposes).... and I'd make myself invisible too .....

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    1. lol. I've always wanted the power to be invisible, too!

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  8. If it were safe and all that, it would be tough to choose just one . . . 20/20 vision with no chance of bifocals would be really nice, and breathing underwater would be good, how about a slightly revved up metabolism? That might be nice. :)

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  9. Very cool! I'm a big fan of Peter Hamilton, and his SF world has groups of people who've been bio-engineered, ones who've been technically enhanced, and 'naturals' along with interesting aliens. Check out his Pandora's Star if you get a chance. :-)

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    1. Read it and love it. I am also a big fan :)

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  10. Oh my...you just earned some serious nerd cred bringing up Gurps.

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    1. My brother gets most of the credit but it is one awesome reference guide. I might even go so far as to call it a 'must have' for any scifi writer.

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  11. I'd like to be dementia proof. My mom had Alzheimer's and it scares me to death.

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    1. I bet that's something we'll have sooner rather than later. At least, I hope so!

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  12. Nah, I don't think I'd go for a genetic enhancement. It's not about the genes. It's about what you do with them.

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  13. The 20/20 (or better) vision would be nice, and so would the super duper metabolism, but I think what I'd like most would be the ability to get fully rested and refreshed with an hour or two of sleep.

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    1. that would be nice, too. Who wouldn't want more time?

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  14. A photographic memory for me. Or something near it. I hate that I forget so much.

    ......dhole

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    1. that would be awesome! I'd never lose anything ever again :)

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  15. Oh my! I'd like to have a couple.

    Enhanced eye sight, energy and knee joints.

    I'm not sure this one is genetic or not, but I'd really like to do without sleep. Or maybe, different parts of my brain could sleep at different times, so I'd not have to be totally out.

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  16. love the idea of enhancements
    how about good for you food that tastes great and is crave worthy!
    flying would be cool too!

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  17. Sounds interesting but there is no such thing as perfection so... I wish they'd spend more time of finding cures to diseases.

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  18. Nah, who needs better than 20/20 when pocket binoculars are so convenient :-)

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  19. I can't help but think of the movie Serenity where they tried to make humans 'better.' But if I could have one enhancement it would be to keep my youthful metabolism where I could eat 'like a guy' and never gain a pound.

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    1. that would be a good one. I used to like when I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain any weight *sigh*

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  20. oh i totally would. Even if it was just to halt my genetic propensity for high cholesterol

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    1. yep, me too, in fact, I probably have a list somewhere...

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  21. this is a subject, i knew hardly anything about until yesterday--you know, how you hear something but all of a sudden you realize you don't know what it is---haha good post!

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    1. It's an interesting subject and there's lots of good things that could come of it but also some bad (imo) like spider-goats - and yes, they actually exist.

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  22. Oooh, now that my eyes are starting to go, I think I'd take that vision as well.

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    1. yeah, that seems to be a popular one.

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  23. Yup, great vision is what I'd opt for too. I'm shortsighted. Not fun being without my glasses.

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    1. I'm nearsighted but also getting shortsighted which I HATE! It makes it hard to draw/paint :(

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  24. My eyesight isn't very good either - but I'd probably go for improved lung capacity/operation. I've had a lot of pneumonia/bronchitis illnesses over the years and it's sometimes hard to breathe well. I'd love that!

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    1. It would appear we all want perfect - or better than perfect - vision. Breathing properly would definitely take precedence though!

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  25. More height, being short makes it difficult to reach top shelves and when looking out in crowds I can't see above many people; about 5ft 6 would be good; and that would also mean no excess weight, right now I'm too short for the scale with winter accumulation.

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    1. I feel fortunate to be happy with my height - I'm short but I don't mind - but never having winter weight gain would be nice!

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  26. Hmmm, I probably wouldn't, but if I did I'd want to not have to wear contacts anymore, so visual enhancement, and I'd like a spine of steel so the back pain would be gone! Ah, pain-free sounds pretty darned good!

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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    1. pain free sounds very good to me, too!

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  27. I would consider genetic modification--if it makes me able to write/revise/edit my manuscripts faster! :D
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. then we would need to find a way to tap into your muse, I think...

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  28. OOo great question! I love the idea of breathing underwater. So peaceful under the waves. I'd be all over that and may never come up for real air again. ;)

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  29. Oh, interesting post. I'm not sure I would take a pill or something to make me stronger because it could have worse consequences. However, I wouldn't mind having the ability to fly or be invisible...

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    1. I've always wanted to be invisible at will, too :)

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