From: Noam Chomsky Sent: Monday, Februarl.... To: Jeffrey E. Subject: RE: Re: Almost inconceivable. But if it could be done, I think there would be far more important uses — like changing the genes for dedicated savagery and lack of concern for the welfare or even security of the population on the part of that sector of educated elite that reaches positions of power. From: Jeffrey E. [mailto:[email protected]) Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 1:54 PM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: I am aware of the potential for abuse . However imagine that a set of genes used for working memory like the ones for Tay Sachs could be found and adjusted . Not looking seems cruel On Monday, 8 February 2016, Noam Chomsky < > wrote: Wish we could just toss of the cares and demands of the world. First question is whether the facts have any significance. Second is what is the explanation. Answer to the first is that they don't. They have no scientific interest, and they tell us nothing about how to deal with Tom Jones — who is who is he, and not the mean of some group to which we assign him. As for explanation, the likelihood I think is what I outlined, say the likely different outcomes for a kid like me and a counterpart in a family in Philly that is part of a group that for 400 years had a chance for about 2 or 3 decades to enter mainstream society, and then with the constant legacy of miserable racism. There were a few families that escaped the legacy — Thurgood Marshall, Condoleezza Rice, etc. But it's not surprising under the circumstances that few did. And simply as a matter of biology, the capacities involved are so deeply embedded that it would be quite surprising if an evolutionarily brief period that has produced only superficial changes would have affected them. But in any event, I don't see the importance (except on ugly assumptions), any more than it would be important to show that tall people with blue eyes on average do better (or worse) in ans