The Slums of Despair

“In the future, we might see super humans”; this statement is not true. In the future, we WILL see super humans. We will see beings with advanced powers and enhanced abilities, all through the aid of science. Genetic engineering has come a long way since it began, and there is no doubt that it will reach new heights as time goes on. There is no saying how far genetic engineering can go, but one thing is for sure: genetic engineering will completely change the way we live and question our world. Those who are rich enough to acquire these human enhancements can finally say without contradiction that they are smarter, stronger, more creative, and, quite simply, better than the rest.

What about those who do not have these enhancements? Unfortunately, these “ordinary” people will not be able to compete against the “superior” ones. It will be impossible for those without genetic enhancements to be able to find work in the highest echelons of society because they will not be considered good enough. While those without any enhancements may not readily accept such a grave injustice, the enhanced abilities of the genetically altered individuals will be bringing back an old theory which has until now been rejected by science: survival of the fittest. This theory, proposed first by Charles Darwin, was used to support his idea of Natural Selection. Nature selects the strongest organisms to live and reproduce, according to Darwin. However, the irony of the future is that nature will not be the one selecting or creating the strongest organisms; humans will be the “creators”. It might almost seem as if humans themselves will become godlike. Not only will humans become “gods” because of the enhanced abilities, but also because humans will be creating these supermen.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “What is history but facts agreed upon?” What he meant was that history is written by the “winners”. History celebrated the fact that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, but no one wrote about the diseases spread by the conquistadors and the heinous crimes committed by the Europeans, such as rape, systematic execution, and exploitation of the natives and their resources, until late in the 20^th century. In the future, the enhanced ones will be the “winners”; they will be the ones whose stories will appear in the history books and whose exploits will be talked about for generations to come. As an “ordinary” person, one is fated to historical oblivion. No one will want to hear about the futile struggles of an “ordinary” individual.

Today, in 2007, genetic engineering seems like a blessing. To a great extent, it is; those with life threatening diseases now have hope and something to live for, thanks largely to the Human Genome Project. I fear that this technology will have a negative impact on society in the future. The “superior” beings will have the advantages, the opportunities, and, quite frankly, all the fame, fortune, and prestige as well. As humans become more comfortable with the idea of creating a genetically superior being, “ordinary” humans will live out a meager existence. While supermen roam the cities and towns of success, “ordinary” humans will fill the slums of shame and despair.

What Will be the Value of Love in the Future?

We all look for love somewhere in our lives, be it from our parents, siblings, friends, or our significant other. Growing up watching Hindi movies, I noticed that love, whether it was a hidden and secret love or a love that was out in the open for all to see, was always a key element of Bollywood movies. I have often heard that without love, life is empty. I believe that in the future, this belief will still stand strong. In fact, I believe that love will be even more craved and sought after in the future.

As super humans begin to establish their control over society, I believe that the lack of love will become evident. As supermen, these beings will not be without the ability to love or to care. However, I do fear that the genetic engineering which will transform human beings will increase more than just physical or mental prowess; it will also increase the drive to succeed. This drive might have a negative impact on people’s ability to show love. An insatiable drive might cause these supermen to distance themselves from their closest family and friends in order to reach their lofty goals. It is a very scary prospect, and one which might lead to insurmountable consequences. I fear that perhaps this rejection of loved ones will take its toll on the families of the supermen. Not all of the family members are bound to be genetically enhanced, and these “normal” humans will be hurt and saddened by the lack of emotion and care shown to them by their more “superior” kin. A strange kind of animosity might develop; an animosity which will consume the family structure and happiness from the inside and eventually spread to the far reaches of society. This scenario, though it may seem far-fetched, is certainly plausible, especially when we consider the possibility of humans become more and more like “robo - humans”.

I believe that love will have even greater meaning and value in the future than it does now. I do not know anything about what it feels like to be in love, but I do know how important it is to have love and support from those closest to you. If human advancements progress at the rate that they are progressing now, love will be left behind. Love is an emotion that not even science can comprehend. It is an emotion that is to be felt, not explained with words. The ambition of the super humans in the future will undoubtedly leave a huge void in the lives of their loved ones, because an important aspect of human life will be missing: love. This may sound like a romanticist theory, but as we move ahead in life, love and support become more and more vital. In the future, the “ordinary” humans will be giving and craving for care and love while the “superior” beings will distance themselves from any show of emotion. However, the “superior” human tag will be a tad ironic, considering that loving is what truly distinguishes us from robots and makes us human.