@Forhekset it becomes idle a bit later. Just bypass medicine and accumulate research, gold and wood. You use that to increase your farms and get better efficiency. Trust me, I'm idling it. You just need a little bit of active play early on.
Full comment abbreviated (http://ctrlv.it/txt/2080/4195510811): tried late game w/o genetics. We need more gold, it becomes a limiting factor. Perhaps introduce global market - trading overflow resources for gold? Countries giving percentage, not flat bonus? Choosing your country's policies - for example, longer work age for lower mood? Love the game!
ascension is already there but you need to unlock it first :)