On the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA structure, James Watson said in a BBC4 interview "If you are really stupid, I would call that a disease," and said he'd like to get rid of it, saying that it is probably not caused by poverty.

This is not the first time Watson has stirred controversy with regard to genetic manipulation. He was once quoted as saying, "People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty. I think it would be great."

Other scientists point out that traits such as intelligence and beauty are incredibly complex and would be difficult to influence with genetic engineering.


http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993451