Confugenics - East Asian culture favors uptake of human cognitive enhancement and IVF genetic technologies amid demographic challenges

Chin, Alexis Heng Boon and Rueda, Jon and Sun, Ningyu and Dang, Truc Ngoc Hoang and Bosenge-Nguma, Jean Didier and Md Nor, Nik Norliati Fitri and Muhsin, Sayyed Mohamed (2025) Confugenics - East Asian culture favors uptake of human cognitive enhancement and IVF genetic technologies amid demographic challenges. Monash Bioethics Review, 43 (1). pp. 97-127. ISSN 1321-2753 E-ISSN 1836-6716

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Abstract

This study examines the declining fertility rates in East Asian Confucian societies, focusing on the unique childrearing practices and how future advancements in human enhancement and reprogenetic technologies may further accelerate the demographic decline. The focus is on the obsession with “child perfectionism” driven by the pursuit of academic credentialism and hypercompetitive social norms. This phenomenon has roots in the historical imperial examinations of China and has evolved into modern college entrance exams. Recent growth in knowledge-based and technology-driven economies in East Asia has further fueled this trend, leading to the widespread practice of “tiger parenting” whereby parents push their children into the competitive educational system at an early age, often paying high fees for private tuition. Such intense pressure discourages many families from having more children, with some couples choosing not to have any children at all. The development of cognitive-enhancing brain chips and reprogenetic technology platforms for consumer eugenics, such as germline genome editing and polygenic embryo screening, may further increase financial strain on parents, potentially accelerating demographic decline. The term “Confugenics” is thus proposed to describe the intersection of these new eugenics and enhancement technologies with the Confucian emphasis on academic success, which may worsen the demographic crisis.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Gene editing, Polygenic Embryo Screening (PES), Brain Microchip, Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS), Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), Reprogenetics, Chinease,
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > HM1 Sociology (General and theoretical) R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr. Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2025 16:03
Last Modified:	28 Jul 2025 16:03
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/122283

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