andreas@innovative.se (Andreas Engstrom) wrote:
> I don't see any dichotomy between "healthcare" and "genetic
> engineering". Wouldn't genetic engineeering be the most organized
> healthcare ever used?
Now that's something I hadn't thought of doing! One may define the problem
away!
> I wonder a little what you mean by this.. Do you mean that we
> should use things like retroviruses to remove genes that are
> proven to be lethal or cause severe handicaps and diseases? Or
> do you suggest that we eradicate every gene that the current
> society thinks is "bad" and replace them with genes we think
> are "good"?
The former, and defiantly NOT the latter. I would also consider a
voluntary program of selective birth control.
> What if the gene-complex that causes short-sightedness recombined
> with a future gene that seemingly causes a form of skin disease,
> induces telepathic abilities?
And what if such things kill us all?
I'd sooner advocate a program of "extending" our phenotype (either through
technology or genetic engineering) than wait around until random mutations
chance upon something good...
And oh, while I think of it, fertility drugs really worry me from a genetic
standpoint -- just think about the long term consequences of making the
species dependent on THAT type of drug!
ERiC