Genetic Screening to Rewrite Future Generations with Stephen Hsu

The Rhys Show

Genetic Screening is a DNA tool that predicts traits, including height, physical appearance, IQ and illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and many more which are known to be heritable. The genetic component is spread over thousands of DNA regions. In the past decade, extensive genetic databases can screen for these traits. Through analyzing genes, it is possible to calculate polygenic risk scores, which give a person’s plausibility of getting some kind of disease or having a certain trait. In this episode, Stephen and I talk about genetic screening and how embryo screening fits into this risk forecasting. Couples who are undergoing IVF treatment, have access now to information that gives them another option to pick the healthiest embryo. Stephen believes this tool will create some inequality in the short term but equality in the long term. We dive deep into how genes are going to be changing in the next ten or fifteen years. With rapid advances in genome sequencing, genetic analysis and precision gene editing, within the next ten years embryo selection and genetic engineering could be used to optimize the intelligence of future generations, disable target genes, correct harmful mutations, and change the activity of specific genes in plants and animals, including humans. We also talk about cancel culture. Stephen was canceled at Michigan State University for touching a thin-skinned subject. There are genetic markers for almost everything. He was engaged with genetics and finding differences between people from different regions. As bioregions are associated with race, that unfortunately connected genetic markers to racism. Stephen shares his intelligible and fundamented perspective about this. Furthermore we talk about how important it is to have access to information to be able to make better choices and the importance of understanding and solving problems where the real casualties are. Who is Stephen Hsu? Steve is a professor of theoretical physics and professor of computational mathematics, science, and engineering at Michigan State University, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oregon and scientific advisor at BGI. Previously senior vice-president for research and innovation at Michigan State University. Founder of Genomic Prediction, a company that creates advanced genetic screening technology for IVF, SafeWeb, an internet security startup acquired by Symantec in 2003, Othram, a forensic application of DNA sequencing and Robot Genius, Inc., a security software startup. Topics we touch: Welcome Stephen to The Rhys Show: (00:00) Thread line that connects all of Steve’s work: (00:51) How his work connects to public debate: (01:32) Science & computers changing genes in the biosphere in the next 200 years: (03:06) Choosing the best embryo - How Genomic Prediction, Inc. works: (09:18) The inequality side of genetic screening: (18:52) Creating a future increasing everyone's IQ: (24:37) Long term consequences & Hsu biotech perspective: (26:53) IVF gametogenesis: (30:47) Twitter mob attack: (33:00) Blog posts that got Hsu labeled as a racist: (43:12) Get in touch with Steve Hsu:(49:26) Connect with Stephen Hsu: About Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehsu/ Website “Genomic Prediction”: https://www.lifeview.com/about Facebook “Genomic Prediction”: https://www.facebook.com/GenomicPrediction/ Blog “Information Processing”: https://infoproc.blogspot.com/ Podcast “ManifoldOne”: https://www.manifold1.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/hsu_steve?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Twitter mobs: https://infoproc.blogspot.com/2020/06/twitter-attacks-and-defense-of.html