Exploring the Hypothetical Impact of Genetic Engineering on Ethnicity: An Analysis of a Large-Scale Data Set Retrieved From a Museal Setting.

ABSTRACT: Critics of human genetic engineering warn that if ever put into practice, this will diminish human diversity, especially regarding skin color. Nonetheless, given the solid and shameful causal link between skin color and discrimination, the provocative question is whether to manipulate this feature and create children whose stereotype-aligning features reduce the risk of evoking hostility in the social environment. To address this possibility, we analyzed data from an interactive exhibit in a German museum that partly addresses these questions. Visitors could manipulate randomized features of a virtual child-for example, appearance and intelligence-to align them with their notion of a "perfect child." Analysis of N = 13,641 virtual children showed an apparent effect on aligning skin color w

SUBMITTER: Dobler NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12710675 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature