Episode 43

The third of four episodes in which I quiz Eric Bruylant (my guest from episodes 16–19) on some follow-up issues related to our earlier discussion of the dangers of runaway artificial intelligence.

This time, discuss the controversial idea of a human intelligence explosion resulting from the adoption of "iterated embryo selection" procedures, as explored in Nick Bostrom's book "Superintelligence". Ethical issues are touched on, as well as how this kind of program could speed up the arrival of a machine intelligence explosion (as well as triggering a "genetic arms race").

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Some relevant links:

• systems chemistry
• reductionism
• simulation hypothesis
• Nick Bostrom
• vitalism
• genetic testing
• pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
• prenatal diagnosis
• C. Shulman and N. Bostrom, "Embryo selection for cognitive enhancement: Curiosity or game-changer?"
• recent BBC radio 4 programme discussing embryo selection (starts around 17:30)
• eugenics
• bioethics
• history of organ transplantation
• cicada parasite beetle (Rhipiceridae)