The overwhelming majority of therapies, choices and enhancements will only harm social interests in so far as some of the public has an irrational prejudice against the new, and a belief in sacrosanct naturalness of the genetic dice throw. The EDR is precisely the right model for germ-line therapy however, because there will be technological progress. While we should use animal and computer models to assure ourselves of the safety and efficacy of genetic therapies, there will undoubtedly be unintended consequences of some therapies, just as there are with any technology or social policy. As with the unanticipated consequences of technology and social policy, we need to have some faith that we will be bright enough to recognize and correct these problems. Without that faith, no innovation can be justified.
Genetic therapy can put off aging, illness, pain and death.
Genetic therapy may expand our intelligence, sensitivity, sensory range and capacity for joy. My rule of thumb is that if we give future generations genetic choices, they will generally choose health, happiness, intelligence, and longevity, for themselves and their descendants. I cannot really see the down-side to that.