[gurps] BioTech-- Eugenics Question

[hal at buffnet.net]

Hi Vk,
  If I were trying to rationalize how things worked for my own campaign,
I'd work something along these lines...

First, I'd do the recruitment phase, which as you suggest, is intended to
find the best of the best and work from there.  I would also run a crash
project on DNA comparisons between those selected for the task at hand, and
identify "bloodlines".  An effort would be undertaken to find those Gene
Sequences that look promising and look to be similiar between the
bloodlines.  As time progresses, it is probable that the Scientists would
have learned which DNA sequences to ignore as being non-essential for
study, and learn quickly to find those gene sequences that seem to be
desirable.  As time progresses, bloodlines are in fact established using
in-vitro fertilization.  The men don't ever have to know of it other than
as a means for establishing DNA baseline studies.  The women on the other
hand, have a more intimate experience with the project as they're the one
who are expected to carry the child (artificial insemination) or, as the
case might be, some women might be used as surrogate mothers.  I'm going to
bet however, that some scientists might prefer to use artificial
insemination rather than in-vitro (just as a guess).

So, where does that leave the world after about 180 years?  In all
probability, a stronger understanding of what genetic sequences mean
regarding specific desirable traits, along with a long running experiment
with a lot of background involved.  Problem is?  Can you imagine such a
program being kept secret over a period of time longer than say, a single
generation of breeding?  First, you'd have to figure a way to keep the
genetic donors in the dark or at least willing to keep quiet.  Then you'd
have to figure a way to keep the scientists involved quiet, then you'd have
to keep the data itself secure - and last but not least?  You'd have those
who fund the project being required to keep quiet.  Sooner or later, the
top secret project is going to have its cover blown.

For the most part, I'm assuming that the eugenics program would see success
within the first two generations worth of research.  Why?  If you were part
of the funding group, would you invest in something whose return was not
working out too well?  My gut feeling is that your program would go through
two phases...

First phase would be a rigged situation where the funding is going towards
ordinary research not directly linked to the Eugenics program itself.  It
would be an issue of running a statistical analysis on identifying
naturally occuring bloodlines and mapping their DNA.

Second phase would be the actual analysis of the statistical data that was
collected in phase 1.

Third phase would be the experimental phase of selecting "pairings",
predicting how those pairings would work to see if what is expected will
occur or not.  This phase would be the actual breeding phase.

Final Phase would be a comilation of all the successful tools created to
maximize the hoped for predicted results.  Both first and second phase
would be funded openly as part of the science research, but the last two
phases would have to be done secretly.  Phase 3 would likely have to show
results within 20 to 25 years or the whole project would likely be
scrapped.  Question now becomes "what constitutes success?"  My guess?  If
you have 10 attempted pairings, and only 2 work out - you now have two
people who fit the profile and can be touted as a success story.  Question
is - would it be better to seek those 2 out of a normal population (ie
recruit them) or are these two exceptional specimans truly outstanding
enough that you can't benefit from random population sampling?  The other
issue that comes to mind is that of training.  How do you raise an
individual whose genetic foundation makes them well suited for the task at
hand, but who has the aspect of "free will"?

If on the other hand, your goal is to create "perfect specimans" by a given
criteria, being able to manipulate the genetic structure after seeing how
it is done naturally might be sufficiently good enough.  

There is a movie that I recall watching, whose title escapes me, where a
eugenics program was instituted and these "supermen" were being trained for
the rigors of space exploration.  A "normal" human attempts to infiltrate
the organization/training ground and assumes the role of a superman.
Eventually, after being nearly discovered by the government, he manages to
make his escape into space.  If I recall correctly, the "normal" had the
help of a crippled (by car accident) superman.  Dang it, I wish I could
recall the movie title...

Ah well, enough of my thoughts on the matter.  Hope it helps.  :)

     Hal