Definition
Iterated Embryo Selection (IES) is a theoretical reproductive procedure that combines pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with stem-cell-derived gametes to accomplish multiple generations of genetic selection in just a few years. It allows for the rapid accumulation of genetic variants associated with high cognitive ability, bypassing the decades-long human maturation period.
Why It Matters
We are moving from “biological lottery” to “biological design.” IES represents the potential for a radical leap in human capability, raising profound ethical questions about the future of inequality and the definition of a human being.
Core Concepts
- Stem-Cell Derived Gametes: Extracting stem cells from a selected embryo and converting them into sperm and ova (maturing in 6 months or less).
- Iterative Crossing: Crossing the new gametes to produce a new generation of embryos, genotyping them, and repeating the process.
- Genetic Gain Compression: Compressing 10+ generations of selection into a period shorter than a single human maturation cycle.
- Polygenic Selection: Unlike screening for single diseases, IES focuses on selecting for complex, polygenic traits like intelligence by aggregating many small-effect alleles.
- Spell-Checking Genomes: A related concept where genetic noise (mutational load) is removed by synthesizing a genome free from deleterious mutations.