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4 key questions to challenge your views on genetic engineering
New research shows how Americans feel about genetic engineering, human enhancement and automation.
23 February, 2020
Adobe stock.
- A review of Pew Research studies reveals the views of Americans on the role of science in society.
- 4 key questions were asked to gauge feelings on genetic engineering, automation and human enhancement.
- Americans are split in how they view technology and many worry about its growing role.
<p><br></p></div>
<p>The Pew Research Center published a fascinating roundup of studies that revealed the opinions of the U.S. public on a number of key science-related issues. The researchers wanted to find out what people thought overall about the role of science and scientists in society, but also to see more specifically how far modern humans are willing to go with genetic engineering and automation. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/12/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society/" target="_blank">responses show</a> that people are generally not as worried as you'd think about messing with human genetics but when it comes to implanting technology to enhance bodies, doubts proliferate. A strong uneasiness also pervades responses dealing with robots in workplaces. </p><p>Before you know the details of what others thought, however, you have a chance to take the quiz yourself to test your own points of view on these matters.</p>
<p>These first two questions relate to your stance on <strong>genetic engineering. </strong>With the advent of CRISPR gene editing techniques, it now seems possible to edit out mutations and create babies without disease. Wouldn't you want to do it? Or do you see the potential for horrendous accidents, genetic deformities, creation of second-class citizens and forever changing what it means to be human?</p><p><em>1. Changing a baby's genetic characteristics to reduce the risk of a serious illness that could occur over their lifetime is:</em></p><p>- An appropriate use of medical technology </p><p>- Taking medical technology too far</p>
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="49dbf04bfbffc1e18231f69fc529de15"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6tw_JVz_IEc?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<p>Another key question concerns growing human organs in other animals. Obviously, we have used animals for testing to develop new treatments already amid changing public attitudes about the cruelty involved, so how ethical is it to use animals simply as incubators of spare body parts?</p><p><em>2. Genetic engineering of animals to grow organs / tissues for humans needing a transplant is:</em></p><p>- An appropriate use of medical technology </p><p>- Taking medical technology too far</p>
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<p>This next question pertains to <strong>human enhancement. </strong>How comfortable would you be outfitting yourself with digital chips or other prosthetics and modifications? Famously, Elon Musk is spearheading the development of Neuralink technology that would allow human brains to control machines. In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-vbh3t7WVI&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">2019 presentation</a>, he described the possibility that such devices would be made to work by first making holes in people's skulls with lasers, followed by feeding flexible electrode threads into the brain. He previously <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smK9dgdTl40&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">promised</a> that such devices would not only give people additional abilities but can also cure brain illnesses like schizophrenia. Recently, <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1224195776131272704" target="_blank">he tweeted</a> an "awesome" update to the tech is coming, sharing also that it might be implanted in humans as early as this year.</p><p>Would you put one of these things on? See how you would answer this:</p><p><em>3. I am ____________________ about the possibility of a brain chip implant for a much improved ability to concentrate and process information.</em></p><p>- Very/somewhat worried</p><p>- Not too / not at all worried</p>
Watch Elon Musk’s presentation on Neuralink here:
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a646a0b439db89b498836659049faf35"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lA77zsJ31nA?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p><span style="background-color: initial;">And now for your thoughts on <strong>automation</strong>. Numerous studies have found that not only is automation coming faster than you think, it's bound to replace <a href="https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/heres-when-machines-will-take-your-job-predict-ai-gurus" target="_self">the vast majority</a> of human occupations in the next 10-30 years. And it sounds like there's still time left, a <a href="https://go.forrester.com/blogs/predictions-2020-automation/" target="_blank">2020 study</a> by the research company Forrester shows that job loss due to automation is already very much here. They predict that more than <strong>1 million</strong> "</span><span style="background-color: initial;">knowledge-work jobs" will be taken over in 2020 by software robotics, virtual agents, chatbots and decisions based on machine-learning. On the other hand, the firm estimates</span> that <strong>331,500 </strong>net jobs will be added this year to the American workforce alone that are <strong>"human-touch jobs"</strong> utilizing such human qualities as intuition, empathy, and both physical and mental agility. So there's hope humans can adapt and find new things to do once technology takes over.</p><p>Here's your chance to answer for yourself: </p><p><em>4. The automation of jobs through new technology in the workplace has ___________ American workers.</em></p><p>- Mostly helped </p><p>- Mostly hurt</p><p>- Neither helped nor hurt.</p><p>If you're interested what the participants in the Pew Research polls thought, here is the breakdown:</p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjc4NDg4My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwMzczNDQxN30.goT61GMeO6JzOxHgdMciGdJYaXq5bo4Q2Yv_2Y9uX7o/img.png?width=980" id="07947" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f38d572619db1c08a0742e39d3870600" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<p>The Pew Research Center, which carried out the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/12/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society/" target="_blank">study</a>, pinpointed a specific theme in the findings, citing "the loss of human control, especially if such developments would be at odds with personal, religious and ethical values" as the key source of hesitancy when people think about future technologies. Proposals that give people more control over tech met with more positive response. </p>
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Microsoft Excel doesn’t have to be scary. This $29.99 training breaks it all down.
Get the absolute most out of what Excel can do with this incredible course and become a productivity master. Right now, it's 90% off the regular price.
12 February, 2020
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Why are so few people born on Christmas Day, New Year’s and other holidays?
Christmas Day is the least popular birthday in several countries.
29 December, 2019
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Christmas and New Year's are days of celebration in many parts of the world when people gather with family and friends. One thing many typically don't celebrate on those days is a birthday.
<p>That's because Dec. 25 is the least popular day in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/business/20leonhardt-table.html" target="_blank">U.S.</a>, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/lookup/3301.0Media%20Release12016" target="_blank">Australia</a> and <a href="http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/pop-birthdays-table.aspx" target="_blank">New Zealand</a> to give birth. In <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/articles/howpopularisyourbirthday/2015-12-18" target="_blank">England, Wales</a> and <a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/interactivezone/visualisationtools/howpopularisyourbirthday/" target="_blank">Ireland</a>, it's the second-least popular, behind Dec. 26, when Brits celebrate <a href="https://www.history.com/news/why-is-the-day-after-christmas-called-boxing-day" target="_blank">Boxing Day</a>. </p><p>So why do people have fewer babies on holidays like Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's – the second-least popular birthday in the U.S.?</p><p><a href="http://businessmacroeconomics.com/" target="_blank">I am</a> personally interested in the question because my wife was a <a href="https://www.unicefusa.org/press/releases/new-year%E2%80%99s-babies-over-11000-babies-will-be-born-us-new-year%E2%80%99s-day-%E2%80%93-unicef/35321" target="_blank">New Year's Day baby</a>. And as an economist, I find these data puzzles fascinating.</p>
<h2>Least and most popular birthdays</h2><p>
All of the least-favored days in the U.S. are tied to holidays, whether it's Christmas, New Year's, Fourth of July or Thanksgiving.
</p><p>
Depending on the year and place, between 30% and 40% fewer babies are born on Dec. 25 than on the peak day of the year.
</p><p><iframe id="B7oZ4" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/B7oZ4/2/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>
One <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541384/" target="_blank">reason why these days have so few births</a> is almost no cesarean births are scheduled by doctors to happen on public holidays or weekends. About <a href="https://www.thebump.com/a/c-section-rate-problems" target="_blank">one in three American babies</a> are born this way.
</p><p>
And even in the case of vaginal births, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/induction-labour/" target="_blank">doctors can induce labor</a>, which helps control when babies are born. Inductions also typically don't happen when doctors want to be out of the office celebrating the holidays with family and friends.
</p><p>
One reason why births on Christmas and New Year's plummet is that for many people <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3046429/the-highest-paying-jobs-of-the-future-will-eat-your-life" target="_blank">time management and scheduling is paramount</a>.
</p><p>
Interestingly, in England, Wales and New Zealand, relatively few babies are born on April 1. While that date is not a national holiday, mothers might avoid giving birth on <a href="https://daily.jstor.org/the-completely-true-history-of-april-fools-day/" target="_blank">April Fools' Day</a> for fear of their children being taunted or bullied.
</p><p>
As for the <a href="https://www.livescience.com/32728-baby-month-is-almost-here-.html" target="_blank">most popular birthdays</a>, they tend to happen in the fall. In fact, the top 10 days to have a baby in the U.S. are all in September, while in England, Wales, Ireland and New Zealand they're in that month or October.
</p><p><iframe id="z0iZt" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/z0iZt/3/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>
Fall birthdays make sense since <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/05/christmas-eve-busiest-time-year-get-busy/327997/" target="_blank">many babies are conceived</a> during the colder winter months. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/babies-conceive-christmas-why-most-parents-couples-conception-a8103201.html" target="_blank">Conception</a> is <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/more-babies-are-conceived-during-winter-fall-180971112/" target="_blank">tied to shorter days and lower outside temperatures</a>.</p>
<h2>Unrecorded births</h2><p>Unfortunately, similar data for non-English-speaking countries are not widely available.</p><p>Research into when people were born is relatively new because for centuries no one needed or completed a birth certificate. In the U.S., <a href="https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-birth-certificates-is-shorter-than-you-might-think" target="_blank">birth certificates have been widely used</a> only since the end of World War II.</p><p>While some countries require all births to be registered, <a href="https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/birth-registration/" target="_blank">one out of every four children born in the world today</a> does not officially exist, since there is <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/220-million-children-who-dont-exist-a-birth-certificate-is-a-passport-to-a-better-life-so-why-cant-8735046.html" target="_blank">no record of his or her birth</a>.</p><p>The United Nations has some <a href="http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=POP&f=tableCode%3A55" target="_blank">world data</a>, which show <a href="https://visme.co/blog/most-common-birthday" target="_blank">popular birth months tend to shift by latitude</a>. Countries at high latitudes, like Norway or Russia, have peak birth days in July or August. Countries closer to the equator, like El Salvador, have peak birth days later in the year, like October.</p><p>As for my wife, she was born a few hours after her parents welcomed in another year. Her birth was a surprise to all the guests they invited over to celebrate the New Year. We joke that being born then is the best day, because there is always a party with fireworks for her birthday. It is also a great day because there are never any competing birthday parties.</p><p>So if you are born on a holiday like Christmas, New Year's or even April Fools' Day, take some comfort in knowing the relative rarity of your birth makes you even more special than you already are.</p><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jay-l-zagorsky-152952" target="_blank">Jay L. Zagorsky</a>, Senior Lecturer, Questrom School of Business, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/boston-university-898" target="_blank">Boston University</a>.</em></p><p>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com/" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-are-so-few-people-born-on-christmas-day-new-years-and-other-holidays-129109" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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You should be skeptical when it comes to hyped-up AI. Here’s why.
These questions can help us think more critically about new developments in artificial intelligence.
20 September, 2019
- The media often exaggerate and overhype the latest discoveries in artificial intelligence.
- It's important to add context to new findings by asking questions: Is there a demo available? How narrow was the task the computer performed?
- A more robust approach to artificial intelligence involves solving problems in generalized situations rather than just laboratory demonstrations.
<p class="media-headline">
<strong>Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust</strong></p>
<p><br></p>
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The biggest problem in AI? Machines have no common sense.
Correlation doesn't equal causation — we all know this. Well, except robots.
08 September, 2019
- There are a lot of people in the tech world who think that if we collect as much data possible, and run a lot of statistics, that we will be able to develop robots where artificial "intelligence" organically emerges.
- However, many A.I.'s that currently exist aren't close to being "intelligent," it's difficult to even program common sense into them. The reason for this is because correlation doesn't always equal causation — robots that operate on correlation alone may have skewed algorithms in which to operate in the real world.
- When it comes to performing simple tasks, such as opening a door, we currently don't know how to encode that information — the varied process that is sometimes required in differing situations, i.e. jiggling the key, turning the key just right — into a language that a computer can understand.
Gary Marcus is the author of Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust.
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