not-so-furry discussion > debate forum
Genetics
Kaiyoki:
So with the progression of technology in general, Genetics and it's many branches are budding into a green beginning. What are your views on the current path leading to Stem Cells and Designer Babies?
Links:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989987,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattaca
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/stem_cells/
When I can formulate proper sentences in common English by morning light I will post further.
Traumerei:
I believe designer babies are an incredibly terrible idea. Changing for the sake of "beauty" is essentially the basis of racism, or any kind of blind hatred. As far as looks go, anyway. If we discover a way to significantly alter mental processes before development, it will open an entire can of new issues. I say, we need natural variation to properly advance as a species. And designing our children exactly the way we see fit will get in the way of most natural progression. We develop the way we do for a reason.
CiceroKit:
*nod nods in agreement with Traumerei*
This is, essentially, eugenics, which was part of Adolf Hitler's platform. It is one thing to use genetic research and engineering to address hereditary illness, but anything that goes beyond that raises some serious ethical questions.
For example, I think we have seen this in some of decisions made by the AKC for dog breed standards. Often, one's perception of "good breeding" and "beauty" only leads to worse problems. When the AKC standard for German Shepherds began to include the exaggerated slope of the back, hip dysplasia became a prominent medical problem in the breed. I guess this is a separate concern of mine.
Traumerei:
Just some more fuel for thought: If the majority of us were the same, would it lead to increased discrimination against those of us who are different?
Baako:
I agree with being able to use stemcells to weed out disfigurments and such-like (if it were possible), but for petty things such as aesthetics and beauty.... no, its childish.
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