Choices make our lives and who we become. We come to the world for a reason, flanked with ego, wrapped in a physical costume and many thousands of years of programming. From the moment we are born, thus, we are already ancient. Yet, life is ever new and ever changing.

In his book, Gregory suggests that the ability to manipulate the genes of future humans is inevitable.

He did not discuss the possibility of machines doing so, rather, he talks about humans (most likely a parental figure) designing other humans. This may be what he refers to as ‘abuses’ of this impending technology. He did discuss, however, how machines will shape our natures and how humans will likely be less organic. I bring this up because there is so much more beyond the book that needs to be discussed, though these pages already pack quite a punch.
In our need to control our lives, we make it the enemy – the thing to manipulate and change to our whims and conveniences.  I get an imagery of children being created with a sort of shopping list, with parents believing they can choose what to products should be put in the basket and take home.  Or even the other way around, that children all want to be unique or superior or both. Imagine a child with a greater sense of entitlement, asking the age-defying father, why had the parent allowed him to STILL have diabetes or not endow him with the DNA to be able to play music masterfully?
This new complexity, in choices, relationships, norms, etc, is in keeping with our evolution. It is the evolution of all man.  Yet, there will be a large majority of the voiceless.  We cannot talk about it now – though there is no better time – because even those spearheading the technologies that will bring about these changes are denying (if not condemning) their possibilities. Neither does any government want to take a striking lead and be an easy target for opposers.
But if we are to be wise, it is to move from a position of observing to one of understanding. Only then can we shape. This will not happen for as long as we are divided as a species.
So… as the author suggests… movement and progress will be fueled by the market, the risk takers, the loss bearers, through a process of trial and error.
The book for me is an opening and a list of questions – what does it mean to be human; how to act wisely (as an individual and a collective); how to navigate a life where our mental constructs take over our living more and more to the point of total reliance; and how to live with honour towards our selves, others, change and life itself.