If we have the tools to remove unfavorable traits and enhance useful ones to make ourselves and our society healthier, stronger, smarter and more peaceful, would it not be our responsibility as reasoning, sentient beings to do so?
Genetic manipulation a Sin?
- Thread starter XChristian
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I guess everyone has their views on what society should be like. Unlike Hitler or any @#%hole aspiring to be like him, I do not believe any society or the world will be made better by hurting people (let alone commiting genocide). So if Pastorjim is putting me in the same boat as Hitler I am offended and further more if that is the case Pastorjim can take a hike.
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Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
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BobW188
Growling Maverick
The problem: What is "unfavorable"? Who defines "strength," "intelligence" and "peace"? The pacifist and the warrior are going to have radically different answers.
The serpent - whether literally or in legend - said "Ye shall be as gods." It ain't worked out that well. Far from producing a better human race, we're likely to end up with one marked by some apparent virtues so overemphasized, and some apparent weaknesses so eliminated, that the virtues have slid into vice and the strengths that inhere in many so-called weaknesses have disappeared.
The serpent - whether literally or in legend - said "Ye shall be as gods." It ain't worked out that well. Far from producing a better human race, we're likely to end up with one marked by some apparent virtues so overemphasized, and some apparent weaknesses so eliminated, that the virtues have slid into vice and the strengths that inhere in many so-called weaknesses have disappeared.
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OldChurchGuy
Regular Member
BobW188 makes a good point. Not sure what the best answer is other than to give the lawmakers as much feedback as possible so well thought out intelligent laws can be created. But, what is well thought out and intelligent to me may be seen as knee jerk idiocy by another.
Perhaps prayer is the best answer.
Sincerely,
OldChurchGuy
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The technology will be available sooner or later. Should it be the individuals right to decide if their or their childrens DNA is altered? The technology could be abused/misused like any other technology/tool but those who do use will have an edge over those who don't. After what extent of modification will someone cease to be human? What forms of life that can be created by this technology should not be allowed to exist? Should we use this technology to alter humans, plants and animals to allow them to survive on other planets like Mars bypassing the need for terraforming? The future will be interesting and scary.
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Subdood
Well-Known Member
I agree - such technology will probably be available to us one day if it continues to grow at the rate it's currently growing. I don't think such technology is necessarily a panacea however for all our human issues - and as you suggested may even worsen the human condition if misapplied. Where such technology can help us - like preventing diseases, deformities, etc. I think it personally a good thing.
But as with any human endeavor (or technology), there are those who will misapply what could be used for good and use it for the opposite. I don't how we avoid that - in fact, it's unavoidable imo - given what we know about human nature. With ever technological advance comes both good and bad, whether intended or not. The wheel brought us travel and travel deaths; computers bring us powerful computational abilities as well as the proliferation of stuff it'd be better not to have to be exposed.
How we "regulate" the proper application of certain technologies must spring I suppose out of the nature and implications of that technology - much of which we won't know until it's actually upon us I guess.
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What if it where used to alter human nature? What if the human brain where altered to eliminate anger, lust, greed but reason, empathy and capacity for love where enhanced?
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BobW188
Growling Maverick
How are you, (using that word editorially, not singling out XChristian), going to arrange for this to be done on a worldwide basis?
The problem we face here is ancient: Who guards the guardians?
Also, are the traits we need to improve as a species the ones we want our own lives and the lives of our individual kids?.
Give Huxley's Brave New World a read. It's an all too possible outcome.
The problem we face here is ancient: Who guards the guardians?
Also, are the traits we need to improve as a species the ones we want our own lives and the lives of our individual kids?.
Give Huxley's Brave New World a read. It's an all too possible outcome.
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No. I think Genetic Manipulation will primarily be used to eradicate disease and by the military to make better soldiers. It could be used for other things but I doubt it will be used to alter how people think and feel.
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