[at-l] Genetics...was oops!, goat silk, and kewl pix (semi OT)

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

There are fundamental assumptions and preconceptions that we all carry,
sometimes unknowingly, when we address these issues.  I have no answers,
but perhaps a perspective broadened by interaction with many sides of
the spectrum.  I would merely note, as food for thought:

1)  One can never disprove a negative - in other words, if the standard
is prove it is safe before trying it, then absolutely nothing new can be
tried, for there are ALWAYS unintended/unanticipated consequences.

2)  As we come to have more and more "impact leverage," the effects of
unintended consequences can be great - genetic manipulation is indeed a
bit scary in this regard.

3)  When it comes to science and technology, one either tends to believe
the glass is half full or half empty; I personally have heard compelling
speakers on both sides, and read compelling books/essays on both sides. 
If I had to espouse a concluding philosophy, it would be that, in the
end, we bumble along somewhere in the middle - sometimes doing "gooder,"
sometimes doing "badder."

4)  Note I put my terms of art ["gooder" and "badder"] in quotes; one of
the lessons of my life so far is that nature, in the largest sense, is
neither fragile or susceptible to destruction by the [again, relative to
the cosmos] puny efforts of homo sapiens.  Nature will go on,
essentially for eternity; the question is better phrased as what actions
do we collectively want to take or not take in an effort to shape nature
into forms we desire more [i.e., preserve some relatively undisturbed
natural ecosystems], and avoid forms we don't desire [i.e., minimize
"polluted" areas where life as we like it is hard to preserve or
continue].

5)  To me, even the definitions of "natural" and "polluted" are somewhat
relative - they are based on our own qualitiative pre-conceived
assumptions, not on any immutable "natural law."  What is one person's
[or animal's] pollution is another person's [or animal's] natural
resource.

Does the fact that I am a bit more ambivalent about the extreme
arguments from separate corners mean I think we should do nothing? 
Heavens no!  But I do think a bit more humility about how little we know
about future consequences - "gooder and badder" - ought to give us all
some pause as we gird ourselves for verbal, legal and political
battles.  

In short, there are few easy answers; few black and white decisions; but
a great need for collective understanding and reasonable action.

hiking and thinking on!

thru-thinker

Rami wrote:
> 
> Chaotic Balls says:
> 
> ..this stuff spooks the hell out of me...The Titanic was unsinkable!  Once there, they
> cannot predict with 100% accuracy how these genetic materials will then
> evolve....Should we call a halt to all genetic engineering?  No and it would be
> impossible anyway...This is going to be another one of those things where human beings
> are carried away with their cleverness and ingenuity only to discover later there's a
> great big fat bill to pay for it.
> 
> I had a professor (ecology & zoology) who's theories were rather controversial at the
> small school where he taught.
> He approved of war, famine, disease, pestilence and the like as a kind of "Natural
> Global Population Control".  He predicted 20 years ago that genetic science would
> develop to the point where people would dramatically lengthen their lifespan.  Take
> that possibility, combine it with the work being done to eliminate diseases,
> population growth, and abuse of the worlds resources (clear cutting forests, over
> fishing, etc.) and look 25 yrs. into the future. Now look 50 yrs. ahead. Now 100.
> 
> I tend to agree with Curtis on this topic.  I love science.  I think it's very cool
> that the people in this field are unlocking these secrets.  I don't, however, think
> any of that will lead us anywhere I want to be.
> 
> -r
> 
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