virus: RE: virus-digest V2 #517

Andreas Engstrom (andreas@innovative.se)
Wed, 22 Jul 1998 15:35:43 +0200

Corey wrote:
(and I just realized that I forgot to attribute the quote in my
previous posting today. It was Eric Boyd I was replying to. :)
> Andreas wrote:
>>I don't see any dichotomy between "healthcare" and "genetic
>>engineering". Wouldn't genetic engineeering be the most organized
>>healthcare ever used?
>
> I certaintly think so. If we get the technology, do you really think
> that people won't use it? We could engineer a 'perfect' body,
> then transplant our brains into it. (might want to run it
> thru the rinse
> cycle once or twice first)
>
> Really, that is what we need now more than genetic omnipotence.
> We need to be able to stick a brain in a jar.
>

I don't think that "building" entire bodies from scratch will
ever be cheap enough for any but a few select to use that
technology. And in that case it won't affect our gene pool much.

I do think, however, that mass-produced colonies of retroviruses
will be cheap enough to use on most of the population. So we'll
keep our own bodies and just remove the genes that might kill us
or disable us, thereby extending our lifespans considerably.

If it's a good idea I don't know.

-Andreas Engstrom
(Great Randomness)