Comparison

While on the whole ludicrous, there are certain aspects of Huxley's Brave New World that are at least partially true. The aspect that was a most clear parallel (while not at a 1:1 ratio) was the concept of being pre-disposed to a certain role in life. While we are not necessarily conditioned to be exactly a certain way, it is arguable that the position in which we are born predetermines where we will ultimately end up in life. For example, those who are born into a low-income family or into a family that does not encourage education and does not instill certain traditionally positive values will generally end up the same way: being the parents of children who will also not value an education or good ethics. This recurrent pattern is a very difficult one to break, and except for a certain few instances generally holds true in our society. The opposite of this situation is also generally true: Children who grow up in families that instill good values and encourage education will generally go on to continue such a lineage. This situation is easier to deviate from (unfortunately), but in large part holds true. This pattern can also be applied in large part by regional constraints (sad but true). Now, if we were to approach this fictitious society from a Leninist perspective (notice how many characters have names similar to important communist or socialist figures; Lenina for example), the society is perfect and as the best for overall happiness. However, there is a large regression in human advancement (not all of which that I believe are necessarily good things)that makes the society out to be a morally and ethically disgusting place. The Beta class and below are encouraged to engage in mindless entertainment, and the fact that small children are encouraged to engage in erotic play is unnerving. The part that disgusts me most of all is the "Bokanovskying" of eggs to produce up to 96 offspring from the same egg. Manipulating nature with science should only go so far.
My summation is thus: Once we've begun allowing certain procedures (mainly ones that a decade ago would've met large scale protest), it's a slippery slope before we can get away with practically whatever we want to. Where will we limit ourselves, and furthermore, WILL we limit ourselves?