Post by DarkOpeth
Scientists Breed Mouse That Tweets Like BirdA team of researchers at the University of Osaka created the animal in their "Evolved Mouse Project", in which they use genetically modified mice that are prone to miscopying DNA and thus to mutations.
What is your take on this? should scientists be allowed to do this? is this ethical? could this be a potential threat to humans in the future? why or why not?
for me personally, i think it's wrong. people shouldn't be playing God or messing with other animals traits. the fear that i see is, some cynical scientist who was scrutinized in the public sector can genetically modify a certain species of bugs / animals / etc with the intention of harming human civilization. I see this more as a threat even though I wouldn't mind seeing a
wow snowy gryphon IRL
what's ur view on this?
The ethics problem is certainly present. I take the view that no one has the absolute authority nor the knowledge to judge what is and is not moral. Morality is subjective. With that said, I certainly oppose harming living things, but that does not seem to be the case.
Yes, I am worried that potentially, one can manipulate rapidly reproducing, mass population creatures - like you mentioned, insects are a prime example, - to harm humanity.
What I find to be more alarming though, is that there are certain companies and corporations that are taking out patents on certain parts of the human genome. Individual genes. The implications of that should be deeply disturbing to many people.
If this "genetic modification" technology is applied to humans, in the future, it will undoubtedly produce some sort of oft debated "greater and lesser" variations of the human race, i.e., like in Gattaca, people with the improved genes, and people without. I am glad that this will not happen in my lifetime, and that I will not draw breath as to witness the results.
Enough of me rambling.