𧏠My Case for DARPA: Genetic Surrogacy & Next-Generation Human Development
đ Level 1: Cross-Species Surrogacy
I begin by outlining something science has already shown to be possible: mammalian embryos can be gestated by other mammals of comparable size. Horses in cows, goats in sheepâthis is real agricultural practice for rare species conservation (see Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute reports on interspecies embryo transfer, 2018). I extend this to humans: a cow, with its large uterine capacity, could theoretically carry multiple human embryos at once.
Right now, surrogate pregnancies in humans cost tens of thousands of dollars per birth. By contrast, raising cattle costs only a fraction of that. In the U.S. there are over 90 million cows already being bred for dairy and beefâso infrastructure exists. Adoption fees for newborns in the U.S. can easily top $50,000â$100,000 per child (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Adoption Cost Survey, 2024). Even at conservative figures, a single cow carrying 8â10 viable infants could generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in placement fees.
𧏠Level 2: Self-Sustaining Embryo Programs
I then describe how, instead of only collecting âorphanâ embryos left unpaid in cryogenic storage, a program could actively create new embryos from the highest-value donor material. This is similar to how livestock breeding programs have already eradicated recessive defects in cattle herds within a few generations. Nobel sperm banks already existâlike the Repository for Germinal Choice founded in California in 1980âand their aim was exactly this: to combine high-achievement genes.
By fertilizing multiple eggs from a genetically enhanced surrogate line and transferring the âbestâ into host animals, you could iterate generation after generation. Over time, this would concentrate advantageous genes: higher intelligence (multiple alleles have already been identified that together predict cognitive ability; see Nature Genetics, 2018 âGWAS of Educational Attainmentâ), resistance to HIV (the CCR5-Î32 variant), TB, and even the Korean ABCC11 gene variant responsible for reduced body odor (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2016).
đ Level 3: Matching Children to Families
In adoption, matching environment to predisposition matters. Imagine an Oscar-winning actor and actressâs genetic material combined to create a child predisposed to performance, then placed with a family of actors. Or a child with firefighter genetics placed with firefighter parents. This is the same logic as embryo selection clinics now using polygenic scores for health and heightâonly extended to personality traits (see New York Times, Nov. 2023 âEmbryo Screening for Polygenic Traitsâ). The result could be higher satisfaction for adoptive parents and better outcomes for children.
đĄď¸ The National-Security Angle
I close with my pitch to DARPA. Authoritarian states may already be pursuing large-scale breeding of soldiers selected for bone density, chemical-resistance, or obedience. Traits like tear-gas immunity and enhanced endurance have documented natural variation. If the U.S. ignores this possibility, we risk facing in 15â20 years an adversary fielding genetically selected troops.
DARPA has a history of seeding transformative technologiesâARPANET (1969), GPS, and autonomous vehicle research. It typically funds prototypes, then private industry scales them. I argue that a pilot program for large-scale interspecies surrogacy and directed embryo selection could be funded the same way: initial millions to prove feasibility, then the private sector handles scaling and adoption logistics.
đ References & Search Terms
Interspecies Embryo Transfer: âSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute interspecies embryoâ
Nobel Sperm Bank: âReposito
