How's it going to end?

Elok · November 12, 2003, 11:42

Biotechnology is making some major progress, and in the process raising some very awkward questions about the nature of human existence. Cloning humans is the most obvious question at hand, but genetic engineering of humans and animals, finding the genes to determine specific traits, stem cells, and a whole bunch of other ideas have tremendous potential to change the way we live one way or another. There are very large groups of people who are afraid of something like Brave New World coming into being, but also equally large groups of people who dream of worlds without disease, nanotechnology, superlatively juicy steaks, etc. I don't intend to argue about whether biotech should be stopped at a certain point, or whether it's right or wrong, but the stakes are too high for both sides of the argument for the question to be ignored. How do you all think it's going to end up? I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if it meant another American civil war within a few decades. Hey, stop laughing!

Q Classic · November 12, 2003, 11:50

because of the puritanical streak inherent in american political life, and the sheer strength of the christian conservative right, america will lose in the biotechnology race to the rest of the world; they will be held back much as the soviets were when they refused to believe in mendelian and darwinian biology.

as for europe, because of the strength of those bloody bleeding heart liberals, even if biotechnology research is allowed (and will be, most likely, since the same puritanical streak does not exist in the same strength), fearmongers and luddites will prevent the widespread adoption of biotechnological applications.

consequently, the regions which will benefit the most (and, not inconceivably, suffer the most) from biotechnology will be in asia and africa.

Skanky Burns · November 12, 2003, 11:56

The elite will embrace biotechnology where it can improve their offspring. After it has proven somewhat safe, of course.

Cruddy · November 12, 2003, 12:08

There is no "end" as such.

:) Smiley · November 12, 2003, 12:10

Evolution even when accelerated by human intervention is continuous

DanS · November 12, 2003, 12:13

The premise of the lead post is wrong. The US has been one of the societies that has been most open with biotechnology.

The civil wars will happen other places.

Q Classic · November 12, 2003, 12:16

yes, although the US has been one of the most open societies with biotechnology, it hasn't with all of it.

stem cell research, for instance.

Japher · November 12, 2003, 12:43

Yes, the federal government has not permitted the harvesting of stem cells and has not given any money to aid in stem cell research. This has, however, not ended the endevours of researchers. California has given money to aid in the research (possibly the best thing Davis has ever done), procuders to harvest "donated" stem cells have been developed, and companies that create kits to collect, process, and examine stem cells have emerged in the US and many have created strong ties with European companies.

IMO, once the benefits of stem cell research has been fully understood by the non-scientific community, and that same community comes to understand the process it may be more acceptable to the US government. Still, we may be too far behind in the tech race already and even if accepted there will still be resistance from certain groups/factions.

One thing I know is that the government easily folds to money. When the weight of the gold is large enough, the will cave.

MrFun · November 12, 2003, 13:07

Darn -- thought this thread was going to be about our planet's end in 2014, when the asteroid drops by for a "visit."

Lord Merciless · November 12, 2003, 13:17

You need to show people some practical benefits before embracing a quite risky undertaking.

For example, resistance against biotech will drop dramatically if it produces cures for many deadly diseases today (Alzheimer, Parkinson, MS, Cancers, etc..).

st_swithin · November 12, 2003, 15:09

A miss is as good as 50 million miles.

Dis · November 13, 2003, 03:15

eventually the universe will run cold and dead.

all life will end long before that of course.

Urban Ranger · November 13, 2003, 03:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Lord Merciless
For example, resistance against biotech will drop dramatically if it produces cures for many deadly diseases today (Alzheimer, Parkinson, MS, Cancers, etc..).

MS = Microsoft?

Jules · November 13, 2003, 03:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

MS = Microsoft?

Doesn't Asher come back from his "vacation" today?