Prometheus meets the Gods of the Copybook Headings

Woof. This strikes me as doubling down. From Cognitive Enhancement and Network Effects: how Individual Prosperity Depends on Group Traits by Jonathan Anomaly & Garett Jones. From the Abstract:

A central debate in bioethics is whether parents should try to influence the genetic basis of their children’s traits. We argue that the case for using mate selection, embryo selection, and other interventions to enhance heritable traits like intelligence is strengthened by the fact that they seem to have positive network effects. These network effects include increased cooperation in collective action problems, which contributes to social trust and prosperity. We begin with an overview of evidence for these claims, and then argue that if individual welfare is largely a function of group traits, parents should try to preserve or enhance cognitive traits that have positive network effects.

Feels very promethean. Not sure we are ready for this. Indeed, pretty sure we aren't ready. But ready or not, it is likely coming and therefore important for the conversations to occur while we figure out exactly what it is we are talking about.

Can't help but feel that this is dangerous territory and that pride is becoming before a fall.