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> Ellison no doubt genuinely thinks that such an effort is his highest calling, the best contribution he can possibly make to humanity's well-being

It's likely much simpler: Larry thinks the solution to (his) immortality - or longevity at the very least - may be contained in Americans' collective DNA, and AI may be able to tease the answers out.

Ellison has made it clear that he thinks the US needs a Chinese style social credit surveillance system, and is likely concerned that the proles are gonna rise up and sink his boats.

Mapping DNA is just another part of that schema.

Ellison no doubt is primarily, if not exclusively, concerned with his own well-being even at the expense of humanity. He may or may not actually believe otherwise, but his wealth objectively disqualifies him from being altruistic or even trustworthy.