Enhancement of Human Intelligence

Editing embryos for higher intelligence is the most divisive frontier in gene editing, threatening to create a genetic caste system. A 2023 meta-analysis identified 1,200+ SNPs linked to cognitive ability, yet the combined effect accounts for less than 2% of IQ variance—rendering meaningful enhancement virtually impossible today. This application outpaces #7 Editing Embryos for Disability Elimination in ethical complexity, as it targets enhancement rather than disease prevention, a distinction that intensifies debates. Critics argue that even if safe, such edits would widen inequality, while proponents like George Church highlight potential benefits for neurodegenerative disease treatments. The gap between aspiration and scientific reality remains vast, but the social stakes demand preemptive regulation.