Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking, reportedly planned to develop a super-race of humans using genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, according to the New York Times. The convicted sex offender hoped to seed the human race with his DNA by impregnating women at his New Mexico ranch.
Epstein's scheme, which emerged after his 2008 conviction, involved having 20 women at a time impregnated at his 33,000-square-foot Zorro Ranch. While there is little evidence the plan progressed beyond fantasy, prominent scientists, including the late Stephen Hawking, attended events hosted by Epstein.
The Times reported that Epstein discussed his ambitions with scientists and businessmen in the early 2000s. His field of study was labelled 'transhumanism' but was an updated version of eugenics. Lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who defended Epstein, expressed horror at his interest in genetic manipulation, given the Nazis' use of eugenics.
Epstein's circle included molecular engineer George Church, physicist Murray Gell-Mann, and evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould. He funded a program at Harvard with a $6.5m donation and gave $20,000 to the Worldwide Transhumanist Association. However, cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker considered Epstein an 'intellectual impostor'.
Epstein is currently in jail after being arrested on 6 July on sex trafficking charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. His connections to Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew have drawn significant attention.
