Silicon Valley Elite Spends $50,000 on Genetic Testing for Smarter Offspring

In recent years, a growing trend has emerged among the tech elite in Silicon Valley: the pursuit of genetic optimization to produce "superior" offspring. This trend involves not only advanced gene testing but also the careful selection of partners based on intelligence and other desirable traits. The goal is to create children who are not only healthy but also exceptionally intelligent, potentially even capable of outsmarting artificial intelligence (AI).

Silicon Valley's elite are investing significant sums in new gene testing services that promise to screen embryos for intelligence. These services, which can cost up to 50,000 dollars, are becoming increasingly popular among tech CEOs and investors. The trend is driven by a belief that intelligence is a key factor in success and that genetic testing can help ensure that future generations are equipped to handle the challenges of an AI-driven world.

One of the key figures in this movement is a mathematician who spent seven years researching how to prevent advanced AI from destroying humanity. Concluding that such prevention is impossible in the short term, the mathematician has shifted focus to promoting cutting-edge technology to create smarter humans, thereby "saving humanity." This approach is part of a broader effort by Silicon Valley's elite to optimize reproduction, with many investing in and becoming early customers of related startups.

The trend extends beyond gene testing to include high-end matchmaking services. Elite matchmakers are connecting tech CEOs with partners from Ivy League universities, with fees reaching up to 500,000 dollars. The focus on intelligence and high IQ is a common theme, even if it is not openly discussed. These clients are considering not just love but also the potential for producing high-quality offspring.

Companies like Nucleus Genomics and Herasight are offering gene-based IQ prediction services to help couples choose embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF). These services are in high demand among Silicon Valley's elite, with Nucleus charging around 6,000 dollars and Herasight up to 50,000 dollars for their gene sequencing services. Orchid Health, another gene sequencing company, offers comprehensive genetic testing for IVF, including chromosome analysis and risk assessments for over 1,200 single-gene diseases and complex multi-gene conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and bipolar disorder.

The fascination with genetic optimization reflects Silicon Valley's deep-seated belief in merit and success. While high IQ is a priority for many in the tech industry, it is not universally valued. For instance, ordinary American parents might prioritize different traits, such as athletic ability, over academic achievement. This difference in values highlights the unique perspective of Silicon Valley's elite, who believe their success is due to their superior genes and seek to replicate this in their children.

One couple, leaders in the emerging procreation movement, chose their current embryo based on its low cancer risk and high IQ potential. They are among those who believe that genetic testing can help create smarter children, potentially even those capable of outsmarting AI. This belief is shared by a group of computer scientists at Berkeley, who are concerned about the existential threat posed by AI and see "super babies" as a potential solution.

However, the trend towards genetic optimization is not without its critics. Bioethicists have raised concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of these new gene screening services. Some worry that the rich could create a genetic superclass, dominating society while the rest are left behind. Others question whether gene testing can truly predict intelligence, with experts noting that current models can only explain a small percentage of cognitive ability differences.

Despite these concerns, the trend towards genetic optimization continues to gain traction in Silicon Valley. As the tech elite invest in and promote these services, the debate over their ethical and practical implications is likely to intensify. The pursuit of "superior" offspring reflects a broader belief in the power of technology to shape the future, even if the outcomes are uncertain.