Genetic manipulation
Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:51 pm
Scenerio: You have travelled to a distant sun supporting a planet with charecteristics similar to what we have here on Earth. You are charged with making viable pioneers from existing human genes. What changes would you make to the organism?
Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:56 pm
I would drop the Canadian accent.
j/k
j/k
Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:58 pm
noo doubt a booot it. to much of a tech question for me
Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:17 pm
I'd make my right hand smaller to make my.... feet look bigger 
Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:40 pm
Scary scary subject there Keek.
Who sets the priorities on what should be changed?
I am sure we would all be cool with removing a genetic preference for diabetes or correcting eyes for good vision.
But what happens when you get to things like say, Do we want any black people?
Genetically there is a reason for Blacks as far as skin in intense sunlight areas and the curly hair is a great radiator. Whereas Caucasian long straight is great for cold climes as far as retaining heat and there isn't a need for intense skin pigmentation when you are all bundled up in an area that doesn't get long periods of sunlight. It seems Mother Nature knows what she is doing. It doesn't say one is better than the other it just says they are both adapted to their environment.
But what happens when we go from a neccesity viewpoint and into a political one? I for one would trust no human agency with those decisions. This debate is only going to get more intense as genetic engineering becomes more prevalent.
This argument may become one of the most hotly debated and as polarized as say, abortion, is today. Probably more so.
How about when we go beyond removing sickle cell anemia pre-natally and go for designers babies? You think we have a problem today with athletes taking steroids? that will be nothing compared to designer kids. And cloning and gene therapy could at the least lead to extended life spawns if not bordering on immortality. Guess what kind of class warfare that will generate when its only available to the wealthy. And we think socialized medicine is an issue today?
Congratulations Keekanoo! You have hit on one of the biggest cans of worms the human race is likely to face for a long time.
And these are only some of the issues that will come up. Like I said scary scary subject.
Probably a lot more than you were asking for but I actually do research and think about things like this:D
Who sets the priorities on what should be changed?
I am sure we would all be cool with removing a genetic preference for diabetes or correcting eyes for good vision.
But what happens when you get to things like say, Do we want any black people?
Genetically there is a reason for Blacks as far as skin in intense sunlight areas and the curly hair is a great radiator. Whereas Caucasian long straight is great for cold climes as far as retaining heat and there isn't a need for intense skin pigmentation when you are all bundled up in an area that doesn't get long periods of sunlight. It seems Mother Nature knows what she is doing. It doesn't say one is better than the other it just says they are both adapted to their environment.
But what happens when we go from a neccesity viewpoint and into a political one? I for one would trust no human agency with those decisions. This debate is only going to get more intense as genetic engineering becomes more prevalent.
This argument may become one of the most hotly debated and as polarized as say, abortion, is today. Probably more so.
How about when we go beyond removing sickle cell anemia pre-natally and go for designers babies? You think we have a problem today with athletes taking steroids? that will be nothing compared to designer kids. And cloning and gene therapy could at the least lead to extended life spawns if not bordering on immortality. Guess what kind of class warfare that will generate when its only available to the wealthy. And we think socialized medicine is an issue today?
Congratulations Keekanoo! You have hit on one of the biggest cans of worms the human race is likely to face for a long time.
And these are only some of the issues that will come up. Like I said scary scary subject.
Probably a lot more than you were asking for but I actually do research and think about things like this:D
Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:11 pm
I would gather as many sword-wielding, writer-poet, canadian liberals as possible... 
Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:14 pm
Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:27 pm
Ooooh I have a list, in no particular order:
1- Make the head able to turn 360 degrees kinda like an owl.
2- Incorporate some type of reptile DNA so these "pioneers" can regenerate limbs and such.
3- Add some feline traits too like ability to see in the dark and some good reflexes.
4- Gills?
5- Add a few more testicles cuz lets face it you can never have enough.
6- Some more arms (with hands or something cooler then hands plasma cannons maybe) to compliment the testicles.
7- The ability to absorb solar energy as food
1- Make the head able to turn 360 degrees kinda like an owl.
2- Incorporate some type of reptile DNA so these "pioneers" can regenerate limbs and such.
3- Add some feline traits too like ability to see in the dark and some good reflexes.
4- Gills?
5- Add a few more testicles cuz lets face it you can never have enough.
6- Some more arms (with hands or something cooler then hands plasma cannons maybe) to compliment the testicles.
7- The ability to absorb solar energy as food
Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:47 pm
eliminate the GREED desire
Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:53 pm
a foot on the side of their head.. i dunno why. i'd get a kick outta it..
Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:51 pm
I would make people simple-minded so we wouldn't get any more Keekanos.
Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:58 pm
Is there a gene which gives a genetic predisposition for acting like a twat? If so i'd get rid of that.
Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:58 pm
Serious answer here: What are the conditions on the planet?
Whats the sunlight like? Whats the gravity like? Whats the atmosphere like? Is the native flaura & fauna compatible with our metabolism?
Whats the sunlight like? Whats the gravity like? Whats the atmosphere like? Is the native flaura & fauna compatible with our metabolism?
Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:05 pm
I would remove the ability to reproduce.
Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:47 pm
Originally posted by -HaVoC-
I would remove the ability to reproduce.
You evil evil man!
In the words of the guy from Jurassic Park "Nature finds a way."