We live in a society in which you have to be best in everything and have to have the best of everything. If we connect this to all the technologies developed and future visions, people will be prepared to improve their human bodies to be better than the rest. Especially in the beginning, only the rich can profit from these technologies.
A drug that lets people eat whatever they want without gaining weight is being developed. This works by "switching off" the fat insulin receptor gene. Though initially expensive, there is enormous demand for this product, which leads to a major drop in obesity levels throughout the developed world - especially in countries like the USA, which until now had been experiencing a crisis in this regard. Average life expectancy is increased as a result, since there are less people dying of heart-related illnesses.
The ability to manipulate DNA has come a long way since its discovery in 1953. A century on, wealthy parents now have the option of creating "perfect" babies in the laboratory. This is done by picking and choosing their best hereditary traits. Gender, height, skin, hair and eye colour - along with hundreds of other characteristics - can be programmed into the embryo prior to birth. The embryo is then grown in an artificial uterus.
The most advanced (and controversial) techniques involve manipulating the brain to improve the child's intelligence, behaviour and personality. Many conservative and religious groups decry what they see as the commercialisation of the human body.
Video - Technological future - Human evolution
Genetically engineered "designer
babies"
for the rich
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A drug to
prevent
obesity