I've never been into the science fiction genre. My knowledge on anything that remotely touches the subject is limited to what I deem interesting. Mostly, I don't understand it. But these days, I've been trying to follow the developments in the highly controversial technology known as CRISPR.
Dress: Zara | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Hangisi | Love bracelet: Cartier
In what I believe would be among my 5 favorite posts in this blog ever (read it again HERE), I agreed to Musk's question which roughly translates to "how come the brilliant minds who are supposed to ensure that advancements in science would progress seem to be missing?" Little did I know that in the works was an invention that would change the very foundation of life. CRISPR is a technology that is capable of editing our DNA. We all know that our DNA is responsible for everything that we are born with, meaning this is a result of supposedly uncontrolled combinations obtained from our biological parents. But with the existence of CRISPR, it is no longer comparable to winning a gene lottery because this technology works like a lotto ticket that ensures hitting the jackpot outright. Now imagine the implications. My brothers who have poor eyesight, which they inherited from my Mom, who inherited it from her Mom and so forth, wouldn't have to bother with this issue anymore thanks to CRISPR. Or consider those afflicted with genetic disorders, incompatible genes, and all other diseases that can be cured by altering the DNA including cancer and aids. I've watched plenty of documentaries about genetic diseases so somehow, I theoretically understand how difficult it is to be very limited by circumstances that we have no control over. I'm aware that I would not fully know the extent of the pain caused by diseases that I am fortunately not suffering from nor any of my close family and friends.
CRISPR can also make me taller. Instead of my diminutive height, I can be as tall as my 5"6' college best friend whom I've always encouraged to wear this and that only because I would've worn the same clothes had I been given her height (Hi Lina!). But what's stopping others from increasing their height alone when CRISPR can address specific issues at a molecular level? Instead of having good eye vision, why not get x-ray vision? Instead of curing bone diseases, why not make the person super-strong instead? I mean, with a few tweaks I'm sure that this isn't far from what this technology can do. So see, this is where the problem with CRISPR lies. It is now a question if the pros outweigh the cons. Once it's been out, a few creative minds would surely develop another use that may or may not be what the technology was initially intended for. History has proven this to be a regular occurrence. So who gets to make these decisions? Who should have the power to regulate it, to use it? The government, head doctors, or should it be democratized or be made available for everyone? Should it be handled by someone in a position that is so easily corruptible?
with my parents
See how interesting and scary CRISPR is? It's scary because its implications are just supposed to be stuff of science fiction. I do believe that this technology is a big leap for mankind. Slowly, we are getting to the future that the only science fiction literature that I voluntarily read (school-required literature do not count) talk about: Isaac Asimov's The Last Question. It's just a short story, let's all give our brain a much-deserved break from the pop culture that it's subjected to daily.
Anyway, let me round up this post by saying that the lockdown is frustrating. I've missed several trips abroad and local as well as life events meant to be celebrated with family and friends. It truly feels like my life has been put on hold for almost 2 years now. It frustrates me, especially since I'm only a couple of years away from leaving my twenties years. When someone said that the 20s are our selfish years, I fully embraced it. I did things according to what would benefit me the most (but nothing life-changing). I'm not sure if it's because I feel like I'm supposed to have more time to continue living with this mindset that for the first time that I can recall, I find myself bored.
These photos were taken last January 2019 at Nobu Manila, during my birthday celebration with family. Let me share a funny anecdote and a somehow small achievement for me that night. This was the first birthday celebration that I had where I went and asked, "is it okay if I pay for our dinner tonight, Dad?" You can imagine how hearty his laugh was hahahahaha
Lastly, the title is a Taylor Swift evermore song. I'll echo this author's wonderful question in this article (read it too and know why "Champagne Problems is one of the smartest songs I've heard in a long time").
'I am cognizant of the fact that my problems not only look different than the problems of many other people in my county, state, country, but I also am aware that, truthfully, they do often pale in comparison to the problems that others have. How do I now reckon with my problems — that ones that do still exist — in the light of that knowledge?'
