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woodsandfield -> genetic engineering (6/30/2008 11:15:05 AM)

Last night I watched a pretty horrifing science program about genetic engineering.
You probably have seen or read about it and maybe passed it off as
pretty much a joke.
However, last night it was presented in a ugly way: wealthy people
would be able to create through genetic engineering a master "race"
( their children )
people smarter, more attractive, taller, etc. These scientists predict that there will be two "races" of people; the master race and then presented were those that were inferior,
smaller, less healthy looking, unattractive, sub human serfs.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which class will be running
the world and which will be the slave class.
Sooo..what's your take on this?
Will God allow this or put an end to this as he did with the tower of Babel?
Will this genetic engineering usher in the tribulation?
And why can't scientists put their energies into finding cures for cancer,
or a hundred other diseases?
Do you feel genetic engineering is immoral, especially the way it's presented, as a tool for the rich?



solo_soprano22 -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 1:01:49 PM)

It's old news... at least to people interest in bioethics (I'm one of those crazy people). I don't think it'll ever happen, but I'm familiar with it. I think some genetic engineering is fine, but I feel that everything can be taken too far.



Zhi -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 1:08:06 PM)

Yeah, this has been a major theme of sci fi at least for decades now. hehe

It really goes back to the whole nature vs. nurture thing. Being taller is neither here nor there (I'm a 6' woman and the only real differences I find is the fact that I get asked to help people get stuff off high Walmart shelves occassionally), being "attractive" is more a matter of subjectivity + external intervention (makeup, etc), things like intelligence and motivation, while somewhat genetically determined, seem to have just as much to do with how you are brought up as with genetic makeup (barring obvious genetic defects resulting in mental retardation, naturally). As such, those with the money or intent to do so have been "engineering" their children for success basically forever.

The part I find more compelling is this: If you genetically engineer your child, are they still your child, from a biological standpoint? Hmm.



solo_soprano22 -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 1:11:57 PM)

Gattaca comes to mind. :)

ETA: Classic Cases in Medical Ethics addresses this...and why it's not likely to get to "master race" status. I think anyone interested in bio/medical ethics would love the book. It was a textbook for CLASS and I actually read it for FUN. But the author addresses the topic excellently (IMO).



woodsandfield -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 2:14:14 PM)

Hmmm..it may have been out there for decades but the two branches of the " future " human race was recently a major topic in either Newsweek or Times magazine.
Last night on the science program it was presented as a master race/inferior race where there would be opposite ends of the spectrum
differences and only the wealthy could afford the super race genetics.
Parents have been competing forever mentally and physically; moreso
in the last 30 years, I believe, than before.
To the point where parents get in fist fights and take a student soft ball game loss personally.
Yes, I'm aware of that, I don't personally like such a materalistic society and I believe God wants us to be our best, but a great many scratch and claw their way to the top.
Knowing human nature as I do, I can see this master race come about.



solo_soprano22 -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 2:20:30 PM)

I don't think it'll happen, even considering all the aspects of it (how humans are and how science is), but anything is possible.



cybrjewls -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 2:33:36 PM)

Greetings! The science learned long ago and researched and kept in the basements of some, has rehashed its head again. BioEngineering, as Shelley had written about for a certain Byron (bad boy type) and while being 'Frank' (present French currency; or to be plain about) en 'Stein' (a Germanic Judean Name), has been explored for years among said Britanical and European clubs cohorts. I would like to know, though, where in the Holy Scriptures it is written that teaches us that this is Commanded against, though. I cannot find it, for some reason.

Hitler, made 10 children for himself to rule the earth in supposed fulfillment of the Word spoken to Daniel the Prophet; for the Cardinal could interpret the Scriptures as one of those was with them could understand what was written. Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written regarding 'Jack the ripper' as well; perhaps. At night, the Doctor was 'redrum' murderer for the cause of science, perhaps, using prostitutes in his experiments.

quote:

ORIGINAL: woodsandfield

Last night I watched a pretty horrifing science program about genetic engineering.
You probably have seen or read about it and maybe passed it off as
pretty much a joke.
However, last night it was presented in a ugly way: wealthy people
would be able to create through genetic engineering a master "race"
( their children )
people smarter, more attractive, taller, etc. These scientists predict that there will be two "races" of people; the master race and then presented were those that were inferior,
smaller, less healthy looking, unattractive, sub human serfs.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which class will be running
the world and which will be the slave class.
Sooo..what's your take on this?
Will God allow this or put an end to this as he did with the tower of Babel?
Will this genetic engineering usher in the tribulation?
And why can't scientists put their energies into finding cures for cancer,
or a hundred other diseases?
Do you feel genetic engineering is immoral, especially the way it's presented, as a tool for the rich?



Jhud -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 4:20:22 PM)

quote:

However, last night it was presented in a ugly way: wealthy people
would be able to create through genetic engineering a master "race"
( their children )
people smarter, more attractive, taller, etc. These scientists predict that there will be two "races" of people; the master race and then presented were those that were inferior,
smaller, less healthy looking, unattractive, sub human serfs.


Well, see, the problem with this theory is that most wealthy people (AKA, uber-nerds like Bill Gates) aren't all that good looking. So what is more likely is the following scenario - that the Bill Gates of the world will simply clone themselves, and then breed a race of supermodels that are genetically inclined to be attracted to uber-nerds.

And while that is all going on, the rest of us will continue to lead our everyday lives, occasionally reading about these issues on our computers powered by Windows 3023, produced by Gates 311X, who is a slave after all to our consumer whims.



woodsandfield -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 9:08:51 PM)

Hard to follow but you ask where in the Bible it states that a super race is commanded against?
So many places, I don't know where to start.
Well. I'll start with the golden rule: do unto others before they do unto you??
Oh no....I got that mixed up ( snicker, snicker )
I mean do unto others as you would have done unto you.
I try to live by that rule...thought other christians did, but what passes for christian these days...don't know if they can even maintain civility in church.
Oh, but I digress....James also talks about showing favoritism in church and how it is a sin.
When Christ returns he will be getting rid of the evil on earth and you might say all that remain will be a super race.
Until then, the super race thingee has been tried and was the cause for Noah's flood...the giants...the men of renoun.
quote:

ORIGINAL: cybrjewls

Greetings! The science learned long ago and researched and kept in the basements of some, has rehashed its head again. BioEngineering, as Shelley had written about for a certain Byron (bad boy type) and while being 'Frank' (present French currency; or to be plain about) en 'Stein' (a Germanic Judean Name), has been explored for years among said Britanical and European clubs cohorts. I would like to know, though, where in the Holy Scriptures it is written that teaches us that this is Commanded against, though. I cannot find it, for some reason.

Hitler, made 10 children for himself to rule the earth in supposed fulfillment of the Word spoken to Daniel the Prophet; for the Cardinal could interpret the Scriptures as one of those was with them could understand what was written. Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written regarding 'Jack the ripper' as well; perhaps. At night, the Doctor was 'redrum' murderer for the cause of science, perhaps, using prostitutes in his experiments.

quote:

ORIGINAL: woodsandfield

Last night I watched a pretty horrifing science program about genetic engineering.
You probably have seen or read about it and maybe passed it off as
pretty much a joke.
However, last night it was presented in a ugly way: wealthy people
would be able to create through genetic engineering a master "race"
( their children )
people smarter, more attractive, taller, etc. These scientists predict that there will be two "races" of people; the master race and then presented were those that were inferior,
smaller, less healthy looking, unattractive, sub human serfs.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which class will be running
the world and which will be the slave class.
Sooo..what's your take on this?
Will God allow this or put an end to this as he did with the tower of Babel?
Will this genetic engineering usher in the tribulation?
And why can't scientists put their energies into finding cures for cancer,
or a hundred other diseases?
Do you feel genetic engineering is immoral, especially the way it's presented, as a tool for the rich?




woodsandfield -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 9:29:09 PM)

hah.. if life was only that simple and everyone minded their own business, evil was a figment of the pastor's imagination and we're
just put on this earth to be consumers.
(China has millions of consumers..millions more than the US)
Peace

Well, see, the problem with this theory is that most wealthy people (AKA, uber-nerds like Bill Gates) aren't all that good looking. So what is more likely is the following scenario - that the Bill Gates of the world will simply clone themselves, and then breed a race of supermodels that are genetically inclined to be attracted to uber-nerds.

And while that is all going on, the rest of us will continue to lead our everyday lives, occasionally reading about these issues on our computers powered by Windows 3023, produced by Gates 311X, who is a slave after all to our consumer whims.
[/quote]



Sophie11 -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 10:19:38 PM)

I'm starting to feel slightly confused as to what this thread is meant to be about. It seems to be going in many different directions all at the same time.



solo_soprano22 -> RE: genetic engineering (6/30/2008 10:57:52 PM)

Wood, I'm curious. If you don't mind my asking, have you researched this further than just recently...more than Times and Newsweek, but thinking of it in a broad light?



woodsandfield -> RE: genetic engineering (7/1/2008 6:34:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: solo_soprano22

Wood, I'm curious. If you don't mind my asking, have you researched this further than just recently...more than Times and Newsweek, but thinking of it in a broad light?

quote:

It's old news... at least to people interest in bioethics (I'm one of those crazy people). I don't think it'll ever happen, but I'm familiar with it. I think some genetic engineering is fine, but I feel that everything can be taken too far.


I'm quoting you here as I feel you can see the potential for misuse of this technology. ( genetic engineering )
Sometimes we get so caught up in technology we forget that the human heart is the same as it was in 4000 BC.
The devil wins many thru flattery; we're so intelligent, so learned; people
are too intelligent to let there be two classes of people, to be slavery.
It's easier to laugh it off.
Of course many christians don't even believe that there is such a thing as the devil, so he often wins by default.



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