Annex B – Technology review
Genetic testing and selection
The cost of sequencing a genome has reduced and it has become easier to use the
technique to identify predisposition for both undesirable traits, such as certain illnesses,
and desirable characteristics, such as muscle density. Genetic testing could be used
to screen people for particular tasks – for example, cardiovascular endurance or for
propensity to PTSD.^103 It could also be used to identify the best enhancements or other
interventions for each individual, as well as identifying their health risks.Genetics could be used to select embryos for intelligence by 2050. While selection during
normal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is unlikely to have a significant effect, if a process of in
vitro iteration (where multiple generations are generated and selected) is used, this could
lead to radically more intelligent people emerging.^104 Whether this happens is dependent
on many unknowns, including acceptance of the technique and technical feasibility (for
example, gaining sufficiently large training datasets of genetics and how intelligence is
manifest).Potential and issues. Whilst genetic testing and selection could play a major role in
human enhancement, it is dependent upon significant increases in our understanding
of the role genes play in human development, and the role that other factors such
as environment and nurture play. The fields of statistics and probability will have an
important role to play if the potential of genetic testing and selection are to be realised.
Legal and ethical issues will also play a crucial part in deciding whether this technology is
accepted by society.Section 5 – Integrated health strategies
Using technology to optimise training (both physical and mental), sleep, nutrition,
hydration and stress management is expected to deliver significant results. The effect and
usability is expected to increase when using these technologies together as an integrated
effort.Virtual reality
Virtual reality, a technology which allows the user to be exposed to, and interact with,
computer generated (synthetic) environments could have an important role in enhancing
performance. For example, the technology could be used to rehearse missions,
increasing individual readiness and to prepare people for the stress of operations.
Virtual reality could be used to create traumatic events to ‘inoculate’ people. Similarly,
recreations of traumatic events could be used to treat anxiety, hyper-vigilance, PTSD
and potentially other mental disorders. Virtual reality could also be used by those on
operations to escape the horrors of war, even for brief moments, thus enhancing their
mental resilience.103 Nievergelt, C. M., et al., (2019), Nature Communications, ‘International meta-analysis of PTSD
genome-wide association studies identifies sex-and ancestry-specific genetic risk loci’.
104 Shulman, C. and Bostrom, N., (2014), Global Policy, ‘Embryo Selection for Cognitive Enhancement:
Curiosity or Game-changer?’.