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So if humans stopped mutating/evolving (due to gene therapy or some drug), we would stop being life?



I agree with the other responder. However, humans stopping evolving seems unlikely to happen. For instance, right now, we have birth control. Birth rates are declining rapidly. I don't think that's going to continue. We are in the process of selecting for people who have more children. Nature will find a way to evolve around birth control.


Both you and the other responder just completely ignored my question though. I'm not asking if humans will stop evolving or if other species have gone extinct. I'm saying that if we somehow used CRISPR to stop genetic mutation (let's assume it's possible), but in every other way remained the same, are you saying we would no longer be life?

I'm asking this question because the aforementioned definition of "life" is flawed in my opinion. Evolution has nothing to do with it.


Two things:

1. Unless you have some way to stop time, it is impossible to stop humans from mutating/evolving.

2. I would argue it is part of being human, and being alive, to evolve and adapt to your environment. Humans have multiple ways of doing this. Beyond our ability to genetically evolve, our intelligence is a mechanism we use to adapt to your environment much faster than genetics permit.


Many species “stopped being life” because they took a wrong turn at evolution crossroads. But that may become irrelevant for us in few centuries.




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