At least as far as I can tell! Over at AiPT! Comics, we're celebrating the relaunch of Uncanny with an entire month of content devoted to the X-Men, and as the Science editor, I saw the opportunity to do something special. So I rolled up my sleeves, cracked the Rolodex, and reached out to find the authors and working scientific professionals best-suited to take a look at X-Men biology, and help us learn a little bit more about our own.
First is Nathan Lents, author of the book Human Errors (on all the messed up things evolution has preserved in our bodies), talking about what it means to be "the next step in human evolution." Spoiler: Despite popular wisdom, evolution doesn't really have a direction.
Then there's developmental biologist (specializing in genetics) Yelena Bernadskaya, speculating on how the X-Gene can cause so many different mutations, AND THEN giving the definitive answer on whether or not mutation can be controlled.
And here's the one that really blew me away. Philosopher and ethics professor Aaron Rabinowitz on whether we SHOULD control mutations. His answer is a resounding "yes," but he takes it even further.
We've got more coming next week, with Yelena talking about the whole inheritance mess, and Rob Desalle, co-author of Troublesome Genetics, on if mutants are actually their own race (or even their own species).Here I argue for an accelerationist approach to mutant powers. Not only should we adopt very minimal controls on mutants, we should actively research how to encourage further mutation in the human race.
Conversely, any research into “curing” mutation should be left entirely in the hands of a mutant governing body. Finally, it should be understood that a peaceful transition to a post-Homo sapiens society is the long-term goal.