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Australian Scientists Produce Giant Mutant Mice

SuperCujo writes: "Scientists in Australia have done some fun things with genetics and produced some mice that are 30-40% bigger than normal. They removed a gene from their DNA that makes the body produce a growth-inhibiting protein. Imagine these giant mice in your kitchen :)" Inhibiting an inhibitor seems like a more elegant approach than adding growth hormones to mice. The researchers say the work "may lead to developing new medicines for the treatment of growth and muscle-wasting disorders."

195 comments

  1. So..... by dragonfly_blue · · Score: 1
    So, do they freak out when they see tiny l'il elephants?

    --
    Free music from Jack Merlot.
  2. I've seen this before. by matthew.thompson · · Score: 2

    They're just elephants painted grey with their noses rolled up. Has Timothy not seen Tom & Jerry?

    --
    Matt Thompson - Actuality - Insert product here.
    1. Re:I've seen this before. by BrianW · · Score: 1

      I thought elephants were grey already...

    2. Re:I've seen this before. by pen · · Score: 1
      The elephants were painted an orangish-brown in the cartoon.

      --

    3. Re:I've seen this before. by QuMa · · Score: 1

      Hahaha, you still believe that?

  3. Lab by Stskeeps · · Score: 1

    I really hope they keep those giant mice in the labs securely in cages so they can't get out. Can you just imagine if your mother found one of these in your kitchen?. I bet the Scientists would be knocked down by the Housemothers Association if they let those mice out :P

    --
    -Stskeeps, http://unrealircd.com
    1. Re:Lab by lohen · · Score: 1

      > Can you just imagine if your mother found one of these in your kitchen?

      It shouldn't actually matter all that much, as they're still significantly smaller than the average rat, which I know from personal experience can have quite a surprising effect on normally sane people.

      --
      "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie
  4. Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...! by Seumas · · Score: 1
    This reminds me of this movie from the 80's about these giant rats that take over an entire town (the size of small dogs). If I recall, a massive flood eventually kills them all off. Which is probably worse, because who wants a town full of giant dead decaying rats?

    Of course, keep in mind that the breakthrough here is altering the growth/size -- that they're mice is purely incidental.
    ---
    seumas.com

    1. Re:Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...! by Badmovies · · Score: 1

      You're probably talking about "Deadly Eyes," which is remake of "The Killer Shrews." Try and find that second title if you get a chance, it stars a very young Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane along with lots of dogs wearing carpet scraps and "shrew" masks. How do you get a dog to wear a mask anyway?

      Other rodent on the rampage films:
      Food of the Gods
      Food of the Gods II
      Graveyard Shift
      Rats
      Burial of the Rats (vixens more than rats really)
      Of Unknown Origin
      Ben
      Willard


      Andrew Borntreger

      --


      Andrew Borntreger
      Champion of cinematic disasters
    2. Re:Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...! by nobody69 · · Score: 1

      Hey there, Badmovies, let's not forget about (IIRC) 'Night of the Lupines' where giant rabbits terrorize ... uhm, people who are afraid of bunnies I guess. (I mean come on, RABBITS, couldn't you just poison the carrots or something?)

      I haven't actually seen this no-doubt-terrifying movie, but I do recall it being referenced in the old TSR RPG 'Gamma World'...

      --
      "Bugger this, I want a better world." - Jenny Sparks
    3. Re:Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...! by Mithrandir · · Score: 2
      > (I mean come on, RABBITS, couldn't you just poison the carrots or something?)

      Consult the Book of Armament, Chapter 5 versus 1 to 13

      "And the lord did Sayeth..""

      yeah, yeah, get on with it...

      Take thy holy Hand-granade and count to three. Not two, and not four, and five is definitely right out!

      Or something like that. I suggest you watch Monty Python's Holy Grail as to why you should be scared of cute furry bunnies.

      --
      Life is complete only for brief intervals in between toys or projects -- John Dalton
  5. Dingos by Seumas · · Score: 1

    Well, since it is Australia, perhaps they're looking for something to fend off Dingos. ;)
    ---
    seumas.com

    1. Re:Dingos by Mithrandir · · Score: 1

      Na, that's why we leave the kids tied on ropes out on the front verandah.....

      --
      Life is complete only for brief intervals in between toys or projects -- John Dalton
  6. Look out! by Enigma2175 · · Score: 1

    Pretty soon all the whacked-out parents are going to try to genetically engineer their child. This is going to cause HUGE controversy, how is it all going to come out? Are we going to be able to clone ourselves? How about a headless clone, so I can put my 80 year old head on a 20 year old body. Can you genetically engineer your own clone? Can I give myself bigger muscles, blue eyes, etc.? We are delving deeply into the things that make us human, are we going to transform ourselves into something that is not?

    Enigma

    --

    Enigma

    1. Re:Look out! by voop · · Score: 1

      Pretty soon all the whacked-out parents are going to try to genetically engineer their child.

      I feel a reference to the movie Gattaca is appropriate - they describe exactly that scenario and (possible) concequences hereof. Go watch it, it is actually quite good.

      --
      -- "Life is a bitch - and she hates me..."
    2. Re:Look out! by lohen · · Score: 1

      A more immediate scenario would be body-builders injecting an inhibitor to this protein or a virus programmed to knock out the gene into their muscle tissue. This is not really any stranger than what is already going on in the sporting world at the moment anyway, so I shouldn't think one more treatment of this kind would make all that much difference.

      --
      "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie
    3. Re:Look out! by SubconsciousSeraphim · · Score: 1
      Yes, Gattaca was a great movie. Now I have to complement the suggestion of a great movie with the recommendation for a horrible one:

      Parts: The Clonus Horror . It was taken on by MST3K a few years back. *sniffle* Those were the days. Anyway, the idea is that there are these clones raised on a farm to be strong, lithe and healthy so that they can end up being organ/limb donors. Very silly, very bad acting.

      And heaven help us if we ever get that stoopid.

    4. Re:Look out! by digitaltraveller · · Score: 1

      A more immediate scenario would be body-builders injecting an inhibitor to this protein or a virus programmed to knock out the gene into their muscle tissue. This is not really any stranger than what is already going on in the sporting world at the moment anyway, so I shouldn't think one more treatment of this kind would make all that much difference.
      This post should be moderated up. Super-humans are already here. Bodybuilders who inject GH, steroids (testosterone analogs), Insulin, IGF-1, and every other new drug use this kind of stuff regularly. And why not? It's their body's.

    5. Re:Look out! by IronChef · · Score: 1


      "Gattaca" does a good job of presenting how things will be in 50-100 years. I'm a biochemist -- well, used to be -- and a cynic, and I think that the future portrayed in that movie is inevitable. Everyone should see it.

      (Well, ok, the advanced space travel they had in the film, we won't be doing that, no one seems to be fired up for it. But fscking you over because of your genes -- yes, sir, that's something business can get behind!)

  7. Wow by Jenova · · Score: 1

    Imagine a use for uh.... cosmetic enhancements!
    :)

  8. Are they sure they're not kangaroos? by Sonicboom · · Score: 2

    I remember seeing Sylvester from Looney tunes trying to teach his nephew how to catch a mouse. A box fell out of a truck or train, and it had a baby kangaroo in it... and it may have been a boxing kangaroo.

    Silly Aussies... they're roos not mice!

    --
    [Connection closed by foreign host]
  9. Uhmm..implications of this, the human genome etc.. by voop · · Score: 2

    Uhmm....Giga-mice are cool....I want one as a pet, do they come in white?

    Warning: paranoia-rant follows, but somebody has to.....

    Another implication is, that once the scientists gain sufficient control over the building-blocks of mice etc., it is only a matter of time before they do so over humans such as what the article says about "new treatments" for different diseases. Now, what exactly is a disease? being left-handed? being gay? being {communist|republican|democrat|facist|capitalist}? being anything but what Hitler thought of as the perfect human?

    Interresting enough, with detailed control like that, when will it be possible to bread humans who do not only look alike but who (biologically determined) will think alike too??? (this, of course, under the assumption that such is mainly biologically determined rather than socially).

    While I think that such research and results is most interresting, I am also a bit vary of the concequences - as I said: paranoia-rant...

    --
    -- "Life is a bitch - and she hates me..."
  10. ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1


    All I wanna know is, will it work on certain body parts while leaving the rest of me as it is?

    1. Re:... by Linus+H. · · Score: 1

      Why would you want large feet?

      --
      It's called new wave but it's just the same.
  11. Oops... by Idaho · · Score: 1

    Anyone checked if you can do the same to cats to?
    Might come in handy when those mouses get too big....

    --
    Every expression is true, for a given value of 'true'
  12. Mouse Eugenics by Skald · · Score: 5
    So what's the story behind all this stuff? Scientists have produced mice that are 30-40% larger than normal, mice which live 3 times as long as normal mice, and, of course, the brilliant Doogie Mice.

    We seem to be laying the groundwork for a master race of mice... but why? Maybe there's more to Hitchhiker's than we thought...

    --

    "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton

    1. Re:Mouse Eugenics by e7 · · Score: 1

      If we can get one with increased intelligence, size, and longevity, it'll probably demand a retirement plan.

      --
      Corollary to Moore's Law: The IQ of new computer owners is declining.
    2. Re:Mouse Eugenics by Hard_Code · · Score: 2

      Don't people see where all this is leading! For christ's sake! Sure, first it's the criminal mice and sterilization experiments. Then it's the diseased and insane mice. Then it's mice who have "unfavorable" political views. Then the old or retarded mice. Soon every mouse which does not fit the ideal are told they are being evacuated, put on cattle cars, lined up at the camp, told they'll see the rest of their family after "clean up" (Oh sure!). Father mice will have to make up a story to their kids that this is all a game and in the end they will win a tank! Oh boy!

      Haven't we learned ANYTHING from history? If you do nothing when they come for everybody else, who will help you when they come for you? PLEASE, stop the madness!

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    3. Re:Mouse Eugenics by demo9orgon · · Score: 1
      Ok, as a parent I'm starting to see a particular value to all of this "mouse tampering"; but they better move quick before the market demographic shifts...
      All they need to do is start some transgenetic experiments whereby they:
      • introduce the ability to generate electricity (eels and other aquatics can do this)
      • introduce the ability for rudimentary speech (something on the order of one word with many inflections, like "Pika!"); probably have to tap human DNA for a rudimentary Broca's construct and modifications to the larynx
      Then they need to alter the color/markings of the mouse for yellow fur with black and red jagged line markings and black/red tipped ears and such.
      As for the intelligence, and size factors, well, they've already been researched. Shouldn't be too hard for some MBA in some biotech firm somewhere to come up with a marketing plan.
      After that, these little buggers would change everything. :-)
      "Mom, I want a Pikachu for my (insert present requiring holiday here)!!!
      --
      Every new form of media has it's own Requirimento
    4. Re:Mouse Eugenics by yek401 · · Score: 1

      We seem to be laying the groundwork for a master race of mice... but why? Maybe there's more to Hitchhiker's than we thought...

      Ok, who was the dumbass who decided the above was insightful? I'm just a much a fan of The Guide as the next guy, but lets have a quick reality check: how does the above comment shed any kind of actual insight on the above article?

      I swear, its as if the moderaters are getting as bad as the glorified article headers...

    5. Re:Mouse Eugenics by Skald · · Score: 2
      how does the above comment shed any kind of actual insight on the above article?

      I can only suppose that this was in reference to pointing out the related mouse developments (and I forgot to mention, as you pointed out, glowing green mice). Sure, "insightful" is a little odd... but don't rain on my parade! ;-)

      --

      "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton

  13. Slashdotted already?? by e7 · · Score: 1

    What, is somebody inhaling all the references for offline browsing or something??

    --
    Corollary to Moore's Law: The IQ of new computer owners is declining.
  14. Fun ? by grff · · Score: 1

    Why is this Fun Research. There has been a major problem with rabbits overrunning Australia, when this non native species was introduced into the country from europe. What is going to happen when (not if) these Giant mice escape.

  15. Does it work on animals after birth? by BrianW · · Score: 3

    From what I understand, you can't make genetic alterations to animals, people, etc once they're developed (those mice were born with the altered genes), ruling out the possibility of tampering with people who want to change some genetic aspect of themselves. However, there's always talk of using genetic modifications because someone decides that they'd like to be taller, or have green eyes, or something.

    Is this right, or am I holding the end of the stick that has "this is the wrong end" written on it?

    1. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by Topper · · Score: 2

      IIRC, which I may not - it's been a while since I was taught this stuff - it's possible to change some of the genetic make-up (hence gene-therapy), though tampering with such things can lead to cell mutation. Or cancer, as we like to call it.

      --
      -- "This is IT support, not IQ support."
    2. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by QuoteMstr · · Score: 2

      There is no reason you couldn't design a virus to do exactly that --- after all, that is what they do naturally, only the genes they insert tend to cause the virus to replicate and kill the host cell. This need not be the case.

    3. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by PhilHibbs · · Score: 1

      Post natal gene therapy doesn't work. I defy anyone to find an example of post natal gene therapy that has had any demonstrable positive result.

    4. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by johnnyd78 · · Score: 2
      For certain areas of the body, yes, you can change small areas of the genome. For instance, in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most effective therapy to this point has been to introduce plasmid vectors of a sort to the throat of an affected individual - the genes of the vectors introduce themselves to the human's genes and they have a little party and switch things up. Because every cell in your body has the same genome, it's impossible to change every cell in your body (your cells change over every 24 hours) with current technology.

      The closest thing we have to creating alpha's (Brave New World) is to do genetic screening in the womb early on, and THEN alter the genetic makeup while there are still a managable amount of cells.

      Cancer is not simply mutation - a cancer starts off as a cell that does not know when to stop reproducing because it has no growth inhibitors in its genome. So it just keeps on producing more and more cancerous cells. It's not that these cells actually carry any disease - it's that they get in the way of normal bodily functions that's the problem.

    5. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by zuvembi · · Score: 1

      Bang

      There you go, one example of post natal gene therapy working. Would you like fries with that?

      Just because the first nth tries at something fail (maybe even fail horribly) does not mean something is impossible.

    6. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by Wah · · Score: 1

      Cancer is not simply mutation - a cancer starts off as a cell that does not know when to stop reproducing because it has no growth inhibitors in its genome.

      So wouldn't that make fscking with growth inhibitors (like the giant mice folks did) very dangerous?

      I know we are talking about two different things here, but aren't they just removing a naturally evolved protection against mutation caused by unchecked growth?
      --

      --
      +&x
    7. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by dingbat_hp · · Score: 1

      Post natal gene therapy doesn't work

      Cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy are two of the hot favourites for post natal gene therapy.

    8. Re:Does it work on animals after birth? by PhilHibbs · · Score: 1

      "Pass me a slice of that pie, vicar, yes, that's it, the humble one."

  16. Its not a mouse.... by sstrick · · Score: 1

    Its a Kangaroo

    --

    "Do you think we could wipe out world hunger forever if scientists figured out how to make AOL's Free CD's edible?"-
  17. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by tcdk · · Score: 1
    Genetic "engineering" is not a bit of fun, it is the greatest threat to humanity we have ever faced
    If you change that to "humanity as we know it today", I would say that you are just about right.

    We need to change end evolve - speeding up the process will probably make us stumble a couple of times, but ...well, you cant splice a gene with out cracking a few hardheads. Or something.
    --

    --
    TC - My Photos..
  18. Oh please... by david@ecsd.com · · Score: 2
    People, this is no real accomplishment becuase, believe it or not, mice which are 30-40% bigger have been around since the beginning of history. They're called rats, okay?

    [Insert the obligatory one liner about now having to breed lager cats here.]

    1. Re:Oh please... by VioletWizardSyringe · · Score: 1
      obligatory one liner about now having to breed lager cats

      Lager cats?? Sounds like that beer spam is working on everyone's subcon!

      --
      ** what?? monkeys?? This means war!!
    2. Re:Oh please... by Spudley · · Score: 1

      Larger cats? We got them as well.... they're called "lions"...

      --
      (Spudley Strikes Again!)
    3. Re:Oh please... by lohen · · Score: 1

      No reason why not, as it's probably much easier than producing a tame lynx. Also, most domestic cats will shy away from attacking a rat as it's just not worth it. Still, 'tameness' itself is an issue here. Domestic cats today often have a tendency to scratch and bite people, and those that do are also often the best hunters. They also kill desirable species, like wild birds and turn feral from time to time. Do we want to encourage a larger, hungrier predator?

      --
      "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie
  19. an experiment you can try at home by corniche · · Score: 1

    dont wear any socks, and then see if you get bigger... if you dont get it, RTFA (read the f'n article)

    {shhhhh... the froggies are asleep.}
    spam-proofing?

    --
    .................................................. ..........
  20. Ein Slashdot by Skald · · Score: 1
    Now, what exactly is a disease? being left-handed? being gay? being {communist|republican|democrat|facist|capitalist}?

    Being ein sheissekopf. A policy of Moderation has failed us... zis offers ze Final Solution to ze Troll Problem. A greater Slashdot is at hand...

    --

    "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton

  21. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 1

    Nonsense, thinking that we are somehow able to improve upon the Divine plan of God is hubris of the highest order. God's plan has given us the wonderful variety of life that we see today, not some "scientist" more interested than having his name on a paper than the ethical and moral implications of their work.

    There is, quite simply, no good reason for genetic engineering, and many bad ones. We have reached the point where science is moving too fast for ethical considerations to be applied, and the amoral leanings that the genetics community has displayed so far does not given me confidence that the right thing will be done.

    We need to stop all of this research now and appoint an ethics committe comprised of both the finest scientific and religious minds to determine what should be allowed to be done. Hopefully, common sense and Christian decency will prevail over the "research now and worry about it later" attitude displayed by scientists.



    ---
    Jon E. Erikson
    --

    Jon Erikson, IT guru

  22. "Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by Seth+Finkelstein · · Score: 5
    This seems very similar to CPU overclocking. Change one "regulator" setting (in fact, in the "BIOS"), and presto - overclocked mice!

    But do they need little cooling fans in their cages? (perhaps because their surface heat dissipation system is no longer enough to handle their heat generation?).

    Has anyone run CPU (i.e. brain) diagnostics on them?

    1. Re:"Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by Lowther · · Score: 2

      Are they overclocked ? Or do they have four buttons instead of three ?

      I think we should be told.

      --
      Stephen Hawking has written another book. It's about time as well.
    2. Re:"Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by Alik · · Score: 5

      Actually, relative heat loss is determined by an animal's surface area/volume ratio, and larger animals have lower SA/V. An elephant retains body heat much better than a mouse, and the mouse compensates for this by having a metabolism from hell.

      So, in theory, if one grew a mouse the size of a dog and left its metabolic rate alone, yes, it actually might have troubles with overheating.

      That's pretty cool.

    3. Re:"Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by Black+Parrot · · Score: 1

      > Change one "regulator" setting (in fact, in the "BIOS"), and presto - overclocked mice!

      OK, so they can make big, hard-bodied mice. If they flip the switch the other way will they get a micro soft mouse?

      --

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    4. Re:"Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by molda · · Score: 2

      I've been looking for this link all day : Mouse with Built in heatsink. This is weird !!!!

      --
      -- A kick in the pants is worth 8 to the head.
    5. Re:"Overclocked" mice - do they work as well? by Phaser777 · · Score: 1

      All that fur can't be good for overclocking...

  23. Re:Scary thought... giant soldiers? by Skald · · Score: 2
    What's the name of that movie with the giant mice again? It was on Neo's TV in the Matrix...

    The movie on Neo's TV was Night of the Lepus, and they were giant rabbits. More of the White Rabbit theme.

    --

    "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton

  24. Nice troll... *good* troll... by seldolivaw · · Score: 1
    You see, I know you're a troll, but I still bite! Because you're just so good at spouting easy-to-refute, offensive ideas.#

    You say "There is, quite simply, no good reason for genetic engineering". What about colour-blindness, short-sightedness, hereditary heart and neurological diseases? Sickle-cell anaemia? These are all diseases with genetic causes that genetic engineering could wipe out, bringing us closer to the "image of God" that I'm pretty sure you're interested in.

    But that's not where it ends. I don't believe in God, I think evolution makes more sense, and so why not give it a boost? I want better eyesight, more efficient lungs, stronger muscles, a healthier heart, a longer life! Genetic engineering can give me those things, and they can't come fast enough. 200 years from now, people celebrating their 150th birthday will wonder how anybody could have been content to live only 80 or 90 years, how they could have got anything done in such a short time when life doesn't even get interesting until you're 170!

    And there's not even a reason to stop at genetic engineering... give me cybernetic engineering! I want a mind-machine link to the Internet and a body that can jet around just as easily in space as it can in atmosphere... how can you resist these massively cool benefits?

  25. Wake up and smell the coffee ! by datadictator · · Score: 1

    Scientific research is an order from God !
    It may surprize you to learn that the same technology that led to the nuclear bomb was also vital to the developement of the computer.
    You think this is new ?
    E-mail is to the postal system what genetic engineering is to inbreeding !
    Quoting the Bible "There is nothing new in the world"
    Yes perhaps inbreeding was about the dumbest of all human customs, but frankly there were some pretty good reasons stated for it. Hopefully with GE we will be able to gain it's good side without it's bad side, in other words, find a pre-birth vaxine for cancer or even aids. If somebody uses it to make and clone giant soldiers, that is a crime on his side, not on the conscience of the people who developed the tech behind it.
    If someone used a Playstation 2 to build a warhead guidance system (that possibility got slashdotted) would you blame sony ?

  26. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by david@ecsd.com · · Score: 1
    Of course, you are assuming that there is a God to begin with; or that your particular God has the same Divine Plan as a genetic researcher's God.

    I think an ethics committe is a good idea, but keep the "religious minds" out of the whole deal becuase, quite frankly, I have a really hard time with people telling me I can or can't do something just because God says so. I can't put myself ethically under the thumb of a being(s) I can't see or hear and who only talks to certain people. If I were one of these scientists, I'd listen more closely to the person who says, "Hey we really shouldn't be breeding these super mice becuase quite frankly my cat is scared witless," rather than the person who says, "Super mice are a sin against God's Divine plan." (Whatever the hell that plan might be...)

    Besides, I've always wanted blue eyes... And a bushy tail... yeah... then the chicks would dig me...

  27. Re:You don't get it. by Gibbys+Box+of+Trix · · Score: 1

    Why would anyone want to have been born 8000BC ??

  28. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by voop · · Score: 5

    Nonsense, thinking that we are somehow able to improve upon the Divine plan of God is hubris of the highest order. God's plan has given us the wonderful variety of life that we see today, not some "scientist" more interested than having his name on a paper than the ethical and moral implications of their work.

    I know I am entering the really deep water here - peoples belifs are to be taken seriously - but I beg to offer a slightly different opinion on this. Not a flame - just a slightly different opinion...

    First, one could argue that genetic engineering might be part of this "God's" plan in the first place. After all, "God" being a (the) supreme being, then everything must be in accordance with this beings schedule, no? Including the scientists work on genetic engineering?

    Secondly, I am much more afraid of what people on this planet might go about doing with such a technology, than I am of what "God" might do. As other posters have pointed out, there are plenty of madmen out there, who would make super-{soldiers|workers|scientists|whatever} (no need to mention a trivial thing such as "super-sports-stars", which has been tried for years through doping etc). Ok, in accordance with my first point, actions of such madmen may just be the "punishment of God" for tampering with the genes. However I do have a hard time believing that a supreme being would include in his plan " 1) make mankind do something clever, 2) punish mankind for 1)".

    Thirdly, I believe that there is more to it than that scientists are only aiming for "getting their name on a paper". Being in science myself, I know that publication is a major goal for any scientist (the only measure you are evaluated against is your publication rate, usually). I also agree, that during the process of researching, very little concirn is usually given to the ethical implications of the research. To me, personally, and probably to a lot of others, this is because...well, I am not personally qualified to evaluate such. Blinded by the "coolness" of some discovery and all the wonderfull things this discovery will do, I doubt that a scientist is much capable of taking two steps backwards and saying "hey, this may be bad, I better not publish". After all, scientists are only humans (maybe we should investigate genetically engineering better and more ethical scientists to prevent ideas such as "genetic engineering" from emerging?).

    Fourthly, I believe that for some scientist to decide against publishing a discovery of some sort or should decide against researching some area based on "ethics" is just as harmfull - and unethical. Preventing the world from learning secrets of life might also be preventing the world from becomming a better place to live.

    That is, not saying that all new discoveries are good. They are not. But they should not be dismissed solely on the basis of being "new" and potentially applicable for "unethical" purposes. Everything can be applied in both a good and a bad way...

    --
    -- "Life is a bitch - and she hates me..."
  29. Re:Scary thought... giant soldiers? by david@ecsd.com · · Score: 1
    Yikes, I was quickly mouse-scrolling and I though that said giant spiders. [shudder]

    Of course, giant spider bodyguards would be a tad bit more imposing than a giant human bodyguards...

  30. Thinking with My Belly by AndrewD · · Score: 1
    Imagine these giant mice in your kitchen...

    Nah. OK, so they've got them of a size that means you don't need about fifteen just to make a decent hors d'oeuvre, but they're not going to taste any different.

    Friend rodent, alas, invariably tastes too gamey for me, even if he's farm-reared. Although barbecued rabbit has its moments, and with enough tandoori paste you can eat anything.

    --

    -- AndrewD

    A Maze of Twisty Little Laws, All Different.

  31. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by paai · · Score: 1

    Agreed. Regardless of whether it is offensive to Christians.

  32. New Giant Mice by Gibbys+Box+of+Trix · · Score: 1

    Is this the actual product or just a rendition? Do they work on your trousers? How about a glass table top? What if your girlfriend shines a laser pointer at it? How well do they function on the side of exploding volcanoes? How come they have no buttons? Or are those shiny bits buttons? What do they do if you squeeze them? I think I'll stick with my plain old Kensington Mouse for now... What's that? Wrong thread you say?

  33. Homer would love it... by Nezumi-chan · · Score: 1

    mmmm....Food of the Gods...

  34. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Gregg+M · · Score: 1

    There is, quite simply, no good reason for genetic engineering, and many bad ones.

    Maybe one day scientists will find out why we are so F*CKING evil to each other. Did god ever solve that one? He is the one who gave us these feelings and motivations, right?

    Oh I forgot it wasn't him it was that angel that got away from him that one time. Lucifer? The one he created. The one that he can't control anymore. He is the one that makes us do things, or is it free will? When there are people like Ted Bundy killing people who is responsible? God made Bundy they way he is right? Does god kill people or do murders kill people? What about war? Is it OK for me to kill people in war or is that a sin?

    Whoa! That was 10 years of catholic school comming out!
    Anyway, I know what this will lead to. Bodybuilders the size of trucks, and if you thought woman went too far with breast implants... wait till you see what the guys do with this!

    --
    Linux is only free if your time has no value. Windows is only free if you threaten to use Linux.
  35. mmmmh Giant Mouse by zio+pera · · Score: 1

    Now, il only Apple could use this modified gene to bring us decent-sized hockey-pux.....

    --
    In TUX we trust
  36. This is awful by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    it's not fun
    it's not good
    it makes me very sad
    leave it alone
    it's real use is to make bigger so called food animals which is a despicable activity already.

    If animals are so good for testing on because the resemble the human body so much then how come you can say they are not in any way concious or appreciate their environment. Put yourself in the hooves of a bovine for two minutes as your offspring are taken away and you never see them again. Every year. For the duration of your life.

    Put your eyes inside a pigs head as it gets pushed down the ramp of the lorry on it's way to slaughter. It can smell, it can feel the impending doom in the air.

    Animals are not autonoma.

    You are an animal not something separate and special.

    Use the conciousness you have to see with.

    Wake up!!
    .oO0Oo.

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
    1. Re:This is awful by Jonathan · · Score: 2

      I bet you feel absolutely no pain at the murder of plants you eat every day. And as a microbiologist, I have to remind you of the millions of bacteria that must die for your yogurt, and likewise the millions of yeast cells that must die for your beer, wine, and bread.

      You might claim that well, plants and microbes are lower organisms and thus don't count. But all these organisms respond to stimuli, and so at some very basic level can "think" and "feel". They simply are less cute than mammals because they aren't furry, and so don't have an army of fuzzy-minded defenders. Get back to me when you can tell me how heterotrophic organisms like humans can live in any other way than by killing other life forms. Meanwhile, being consigned to living off death, I'll choose the most tasty dead things for my meals. Not to mention live, but soon to be dead in my stomach things, like draft beer.

    2. Re:This is awful by Ninjac · · Score: 1

      Yes. We should stop feeding off these poor creatures and let them roam free so they may serve they're true purpose of being ripped to shreds by other predators out in natures peaceful landscape.

    3. Re:This is awful by kuiken · · Score: 1

      Put yourself in the hooves of a bovine for two minutes as your offspring are taken away and you never see them again. Every year. For the duration of your life.

      Some animals eat there own young, some never lookback at their young, a lot of animals never see there young to start with and some have a long term memory that lasts from midnight till 0:01h, you are thinking how an animal feels useing human emotions

      You are an animal not something separate and special

      yes we are special, we can pay for sex and we have the guns

      --

      42
    4. Re:This is awful by TheSencho · · Score: 1

      If animals weren't meant to be eaten, then why are they made out of meat?

    5. Re:This is awful by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

      some animals blah blah blah so fucking what

      bovines don't eat their young

      they are visibly and demonstratably distressed when their young are removed and not for 5 minutes but for weeks

      I am not imagining it I used my senses to watch it with my own eyes on a dairy farm.

      We are mammals how come you think our genes are so magic that anything with a different number of chromozones can't possibly be in any way concious.

      yes we are special, we can pay for sex and we have the guns
      oh ha ha. you fucking twat


      .oO0Oo.

      --
      There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  37. How can it be regulated intelligently? by jesterzog · · Score: 2

    Here in New Zealand the general attitude is very paranoid (or cautious, depending on who you are) towards genetic engineering, and at least on paper it's quite heavily regulated.

    Anyway, there was recently a government probe that found that a full 18% of the genetic engineering experiments were completely unauthorised. (Followup scientist reaction here.) I'm inclined to go with the scientists, if for no other reason because from where I am the whole public attitude seems more like an ignorant vigilante mob.

    Does anyone have any ideas on how this could or should be regulated (if at all) if for no other reason, to prevent potentially dangerous results accidently (or deliberately) seeping into the environment?


    ===
  38. I say their gearing up for war.... by yek401 · · Score: 5

    Lets look at the facts folks:

    We've made them bigger.
    We've made them smarter.
    We've made them glow.
    We've cured their diabetes.
    We've even armed them with ears on their back!

    Am I saying the world is going to be taken over by hyperintelligent glowing super mice that shoot insulin from the ears on their backs?

    Of course not!

    I'm saying the pan-galactic beings from another dimension who run this planet are getting ready for war, and they are using the Earth as a training facility.


    (If you haven't read the hitchhickers guide to the galaxy let me first say don't panic! Secondly, go read it.)

    1. Re:I say their gearing up for war.... by Wellspring · · Score: 2

      You have no idea. The rodent invasion has already begun!

      Let me just take a moment to welcome our new rodent overlords. I think that as a commentator on Smartline, the best pundit show in Springfield, that I will be quite useful to our new masters. You will need someone with knowledge of your human subjects in your terrible new regime.

    2. Re:I say their gearing up for war.... by pleitner · · Score: 1

      Can anyone say "Pinky and the Brain"? :)

  39. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 1

    Maybe one day scientists will find out why we are so F*CKING evil to each other. Did god ever solve that one? He is the one who gave us these feelings and motivations, right?

    We are evil because of Satan's influence in the world turning people away from the love of the Lord through such popular modern myths as the Big Bang theory, "evolution" (as if sheer chance could result in human beings!) and atheism. God gave us free will because that way our love for him will mean something rather than being blind obedience.

    Does god kill people or do murders kill people? What about war? Is it OK for me to kill people in war or is that a sin?

    Murder is only ethical when it is done in the name of the Lord, to protect His followers or to punish those who oppose his Truth. Sin cannot accrue to one who acts according to the Lord's wishes.

    Whoa! That was 10 years of catholic school comming out!

    But Catholics are not Christians and are destined for Hell when they die. Their worship of idols such as the "virgin" Mary and their "saints" precludes them from being Christians. Their so-called "religion" is a foul mockery of Christianity.



    ---
    Jon E. Erikson
    --

    Jon Erikson, IT guru

  40. ROUS's by flink · · Score: 1

    What about the ROUS's?

    Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't believe they exist!

  41. Re:You don't get it. by Spudley · · Score: 1

    Personally, I hate living in this era. Wish I could have been born 10,000 years from now...

    And now! Thanks to the miracles of modern cloning... you can be!

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  42. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Manaz · · Score: 5

    Giant mice? What's next, giant women?

    Yep - women are the logical next step from mice. No, really, they are.

    The scientists who spend their time butchering innocent mice would be better off, both scientifically and ethically, spending their time doing something which is a) of benefit to people and not mice and b) less offensive to decent Christians.

    Butchering - I think you'll find that genetic manipulation is a LITTLE more refined than "butchering". Have you stoppped to think of the possible benefits we might gain from this research? Perhaps making people resistant to AIDS? Or perhaps cancer (since bigotted religeous zealots like you would naturally assume that AIDS is a disease of people of low moral quality)? Or polio, SIDS, or in fact any of the multitude of diseases and illnesses which currently afflict the innocent?

    And this sentance - "Scientists in Australia have done some fun things with genetics ..." - am I the only person who thinks that this flappant attitude is appalling?

    That'd be "sentence" and "flippant" unless I'm mistaken, but we'll leave the semantics of correct spelling, grammar and punctuation out of this, shall we? Have you perchance thought that some people actually find scientific discovery interesting, and perchance fun? Just because you've got a stick up your ass doesn't meant the rest of us do.

    Tinkering with the natural order of things which God has decreed is not a "bit of fun", it is both dangerous and amoral and needs to be stopped.

    Granted, there are potentially "bad" uses for this technology (at least when it matures). But we've had nuclear weapons since the end of the 2nd world war, they're proven to be VERY destructive, and yet we've managed to (albeit only just at times) avoid blowing the living shit out of the planet with them. Give human kind SOME credit, please. You'd be surprised just how moral we can be as a race when necessary.

    Did you know that the majority of our technological advancements (even the good ones, that save lives) have come about due to war? A point to ponder....

    Unfortunately thanks to the liberal fundamentalists who hold power over much of the Western world, these people are given free license to blaspheme and tamper with something which could kill us all even worse than the plagues God sent to punish the Egyptians.

    Ah, a fire and brimstone Christian - now I'm starting to understand. Have you perchance read this wonderful part of the Bible called the "New Testament"? Incidently, I suggest that you look up the meaning of the political buzzwords you're using - because Liberal Fundamentalists are generally the very people opposing the sort of research and development of scientific knowledge that you youreself are complaining about.

    Genetic "engineering" is not a bit of fun, it is the greatest threat to humanity we have ever faced.

    And you have scientific proof to back up this statement? Oh, silly me - of course you don't - science is the art of witches isn't it! You wouldn't want to make a well backed up point and end up being burned at the stake now, would you?

    Today it may be fat mice, but who knows what horrors tomorrow may bring?

    Bigger cattle, which feed more people? Better crop averages, so that we might feed the starving? The health benefits I mentioned before? Sure, there COULD be bad things that come of this technology, but other great scientific discoveries, like electricity, can also be used for the powers of darkness. Quick, shut down your PC - it uses the Devil's own power!

  43. Re:Uhmm..implications of this, the human genome et by Spudley · · Score: 1

    Remember:

    Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you!

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  44. Giant mice ? by S�gnal+ll · · Score: 3

    i would prefer giant worms, producing more spice.

    the sleeper must awake.

    1. Re:Giant mice ? by Defiler · · Score: 1

      Hahaha!! This made my day. ;)

  45. Bigger people. by Spudley · · Score: 2

    Two industries I can think of that might be sponsoring this research:

    - Basketball teams.
    - Porn flick producers.

    "Where bigger can only mean better!" hehehehehe

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
    1. Re:Bigger people. by British · · Score: 1

      Forget that, I can now start my own rat army that lives under the sewers. I could be my own Splinter!

  46. knob by streetlawyer · · Score: 1
    % of replies in this subthread written by "The Anti-Troll" -- 15%.

    Looks like a biter to me.

    "No matter what you say, if you reply to a troll, you are a mark. Even if you say 'I'm sure this is a troll, but ....'. Even if you say 'Please don't reply to this troll'. If you bite, you fscking bite, and you can't pretend you didn't. No, you don't look ironic and cool. YHL."
    --from the Slashdot Troll Faq

    Fifteen per cent. You're a gold mine, you are, mate. But the difference is that JE is contributing original content, and you're spamming.

    Oh yeh, and talking about "The Inch Fan" isn't making you look 31337. the link is ?sid=k23220inchfan, for anyone who gives a fuck. And it's a v. v. old sid, now only used for OSM conspiracy theories.

    --da lawyer is in da house.

  47. Other uses by rkeefe · · Score: 1

    Can they do this with human bodily appendages? Where do I sign up? - RKeefe http://www.silverphoenix2.com/

  48. Re:Moderation - Sorry OT by Spudley · · Score: 1

    I fully agree.

    In fact, I posted a similar point to the "ask slashdot" topic a week or two ago. But it was rejected, so I never did find out what anyone thought of it (except that at least one admin didn't agree with me).

    The number of off-topic, obscene, pointless, flaming, or just plain trolling posts on Slashdot has increased recently to the point where they can overwhelm an article.

    The "first post" syndrome is also worth mentioning here.

    In moderation (excuse the pun), these things are all good fun; done to excess, as they seem to be these days, they just ruin the whole thing.

    Thank you datadictator for bringing this up. :-)

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  49. Everquest by Coolhand-10 · · Score: 1

    So that is where they get the Giant Rats for Everquest....

  50. World's tallest man. by Spudley · · Score: 1

    It's an interesting point to note that the world's tallest man (as listed in the Guinness book of Records) was known to have a 'disease' (we'd call it a genetic mutation these days) which had a similar effect: nothing told his body to stop growing, and he was still growing at the time of his death (at a fairly young age; cause unrelated to his height).

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  51. The Problem here is... by lohen · · Score: 1

    That these benefits will only be available to a privileged minority. We will doubtless in (most of) our lifetimes see this start to come about, so that wealthy first world citizens gain superhuman ability in many fields while the poorer people are stuck with the genes they started with and therefore have an even tougher time playing catch-up than they did before. At least one person has already mentioned 'Gattaca' today, but it should be pointed out that when people with ordinary genes can no longer get the better jobs because their parents couldn't afford to have them altered, the world is going to start to be a very dark place. I believe in a free market, but I also would like to see equal opportunities from birth to a greater, not to a lesser, degree than we see today. Sadly, I just don't think that it's going to happen.

    --
    "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie
  52. In related news... by MupwI · · Score: 1

    A group of Japanese scientists today claimed success in their attempts to grow larger lizards, moths and three-headed dragons.
    Inhabitants of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are being advised to evacuate their homes immediately.

    --
    -- Bah weep grah nah weep nini bong
  53. Set it so you only see posts of score 2 and + by bug_hunter · · Score: 1

    There feature is open to you, and it's a hell of a lot easier to moderate most of the good ones up than most of the bad ones down.

    With only view 2+ you don't see any crap, and if you're really interested in the article just set tolerance back to 1 so you get the good stuff.

    --
    It's turtles all the way down.
    1. Re:Set it so you only see posts of score 2 and + by Spudley · · Score: 1

      Of course, if I'd done that, I'd never have seen this piece of advice from you either.

      In fact, I would miss out on a lot of interesting points.

      Also, re-read the original post that sparked this thread; he's complaining that there aren't enough moderation points to go round to all the worthy articles when all the rubbish has to be moderated down. So if the worthy articles never get moderated, they'll never get to +2....

      It's a bigger issue than simply changing my settings.

      --
      (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  54. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Gregg+M · · Score: 1

    God gave us free will because that way our love for him will mean something rather than being blind obedience.

    What will it mean?

    Free will? Blind obedience? What difference does it make to god?

    --
    Linux is only free if your time has no value. Windows is only free if you threaten to use Linux.
  55. Bigger.... by DeICQLady · · Score: 2

    Build a bigger mouse trap... (that you can check mail and surf the web on!) Sweeet
    Nuff Respec'

    DeICQLady
    7D3 CPE

  56. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by streetlawyer · · Score: 2
    Better crop averages, so that we might feed the starving?

    If bigger grain surpluses could feed the starving, the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union would have done so long ago. It's already been proved to most people's satisfaction that famines are an economic disaster, not an ecological one.

  57. Re:Whats this - nuthin to do with Linux or compute by Skald · · Score: 4
    Can we keep things IT related in the future.

    Uh... no. This is not a Linux news site... not even a computer news site. And if you want your suggestions taken seriously, log in.

    --

    "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton

  58. Re:ANTI-TROLL ANSWERS by streetlawyer · · Score: 1
    Ah, but you have made a crucial mistake.

    You're assuming I give a fuck. Quoting from your own quote:

    Oh dear, seems you managed to make yourself look silly by biting. And this is ironic, because you're biting to tell me i'm a biter.
    Well, you appear to have made a fool of yourself. I declare victory.

    --montoya, it rhymes wit' lawya

    oh yeh, btw, I used "irony" correctly, you used it wrongly.

  59. Beware of the dangers of genetic manipulation!!!! by Jherico · · Score: 1

    Are we on the verge of being wiped out by the dreaded Tyrano-hamsterous Rex?

    --

    Jherico

    What can the average user can do to ensure his security? "Nothing, you're screwed"

  60. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 1

    Have you stoppped to think of the possible benefits we might gain from this research? Perhaps making people resistant to AIDS? Or perhaps cancer (since bigotted religeous zealots like you would naturally assume that AIDS is a disease of people of low moral quality)?

    AIDS is not there no punish those of low moral quality, it is there to punish us all for allowing these people to become part of normal society rather than being reviled for their unGodly perversions. If it were as you say then decent people wouldn't catch it would they?

    That'd be "sentence" and "flippant" unless I'm mistaken, but we'll leave the semantics of correct spelling, grammar and punctuation out of this, shall we?

    Ooh, a grammer flame, how mature. That obviously lends credence to your arguments.

    Have you perchance thought that some people actually find scientific discovery interesting, and perchance fun? Just because you've got a stick up your ass doesn't meant the rest of us do.

    Yes, your definition of "fun" is a true product of the secular brainwashing you have received thanks to the liberal "educators" that have an agenda to destroy any trace of Christian ethics from children's education. And the fact that it is obviously working only means we will have to fight harder to turn people back to the love of our Lord.

    Give human kind SOME credit, please. You'd be surprised just how moral we can be as a race when necessary.

    Because up until recently decent Christian ethics were viewed as important, and people heeded the word of God. In today's climate of militant atheism ethics and morals come in second place to scientific "advancement".

    Sure, there COULD be bad things that come of this technology, but other great scientific discoveries, like electricity, can also be used for the powers of darkness. Quick, shut down your PC - it uses the Devil's own power!

    I think you are mistaking me for some kind of Luddite, which I am obviously not. I am merely concerned about the dangers which genetics poses, and how Christianity has been slandered and then abanonded by a society that is walking straight into Satan's grasp with open arms. Any right-thinking person should agree with what I'm saying.



    ---
    Jon E. Erikson
    --

    Jon Erikson, IT guru

  61. ROUSs? by Gaewyn+L+Knight · · Score: 1

    So where is the fire swamp to go along with the Rodents Of Unusual Size?

    --
    Telcos have alot of dark fibre in the States. Most people assume that's optical fibre...but it's actually moral fibre.
  62. Re:ANTI-TROLL LAUGHS by streetlawyer · · Score: 1
    Why reply to two of my posts?

    Well, to boost Jon's troll-score, obviously.

    So why bother counting this thread to tell me i have 15% of the replies?

    I didn't. I pulled that number out of my ass, in the hope of drawing you in ....

    FYI, neither do i, but i have nothing better to do.

    I, on the other hand, have a demanding and fulfilling job, but I take time out to do this. For the love.

    Do you think i'm sat here in a rage, or upset by your posts?

    As I've said, I don't give a fuck how you feel. You can be mildy sexually stimulated for all I care, as long as you keep on typing responses.

    So, declare "victory" all you want. Who cares?

    The answer to the question "Who cares?" is always "Who cares enough to post a reply?"

    Also interesting to note that you've sudenly become the Grammer Nazi too. No it isn't.

    "The purpose of trolling is to waste the time of pompous, self-righteous slashbots, by drawing them into long and pointless conversations.
    --From the Slashdot troll FAQ

    join the dots .... --streetlawyer

    PS "I can move to a new thread" -- please do. You're quite a promising newcomer troll. Keep it up and we might tell you the new 1337 address .....

  63. Voided warranty by FascDot+Killed+My+Pr · · Score: 3

    Lets not get too excited about this. The researchers are doing an EXPERIMENT. Obviously the first part was "can we make mice big by removing this gene?" But the second part is just as important "what else breaks when we remove this gene?"

    Given the function (growth inhibition) of the gene in question, I'm going to bet these mice are especially susceptible to cancer.
    --

    --
    Linux MAPI Server!
    http://www.openone.com/software/MailOne/
    (Exchange Migration HOWTO coming soon)
  64. bigger cheese by zorn · · Score: 1

    And now we need to genetically alter the bacteria and yeast, too, becasue bigger mice means we need bigger cheese to feed them!
    Zorn

    --
    / is the root of /all/evil.
  65. Not totally unrelated to height by FascDot+Killed+My+Pr · · Score: 1

    IIRC, he died of an infection caused by ill-fitting shoes.
    --

    --
    Linux MAPI Server!
    http://www.openone.com/software/MailOne/
    (Exchange Migration HOWTO coming soon)
  66. Turning off growth inhibitors by Syberghost · · Score: 2

    The researchers say the work "may lead to developing new medicines for the treatment of growth and muscle-wasting disorders."

    As well as exciting new cancers when cells grow out of control without those inhibitors... :-)

    --

  67. LMAO by knurr · · Score: 1

    YOU ginat mice are cool (only if your a stoner)

    --
    If we refuse to be flexible, we are in effect opting out of the game of life. The world moves on without us.
  68. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by jejones · · Score: 1
    I hope that's a troll. Man has tinkered with the natural order of things for millions of years; seeing someone use a computer (probably by artificial light, given the time) to post rants against "tinkering with the natural order" is dumbfounding in its inconsistency. I'm all for tinkering with the natural order of things--we just need to do a better job of it.

    Having said that, um...so when can we expect the giant women? :-)

  69. I revert to my earlier heding, "knob" by streetlawyer · · Score: 1

    I also declare victory once more, without feeling it necessary to give any very obvious reason why.

    IHW

    YHL

    FOAD

    jsm

  70. Re:Uhmm..implications of this, the human genome et by Bad+Mojo · · Score: 2

    Just a reminder. For every scientific advancement that brings us closer to a (1984|Brave New World|Logan's Run|etc) future, there will always be a few of us freaks who will refuse to do as we're told. We'll escape, find weapons, learn to pilot harrier jets (or something similar) and come back and free everyone.

    We owe it to the world to make sure that if `unlikely horrible technology driven society' comes to pass, that `unlikely rebel hero saviors' will exist. Am I right or am I right?

    Bad Mojo

    --
    Bad Mojo
    "If you can't win by reason, go for volume." -- Calvin
  71. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Tim+C · · Score: 2

    [Disclaimer: I am not religious]

    After all, "God" being a (the) supreme being, then everything must be in accordance with this beings schedule, no? Including the scientists work on genetic engineering?

    That's an argument I've used in the past, but it does have one fatal flaw - the concept of free will.

    We have been granted free will to behave as we see fit - and that includes doing things that "God" would not approve of.

    I know it's a work of fiction, but Paradise Lost discusses the concept, and "God's" reasons for giving us our free will. (And is a good read in itself, IMHO)

    Cheers,

    Tim

  72. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by pallex · · Score: 1

    a) of benefit to people and not mice and b) less offensive to decent Christians.

    well, never mind christians. Offensive to anywith with any respect for life. Otherwise why not experiment on humans? Lets face it, we`re doing this for humans benefit, not mice.

  73. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by __aahlyu4518 · · Score: 1

    Tinkering with the natural order of things which God has decreed is not a "bit of fun", it is both dangerous and amoral and needs to be stopped.

    Assuming there is a God ofcourse. And morals have always changed in something that was concidered immoral at the time. And maybe you could see it as the ultimate evolution. A creature (human in this context) that can create it's own evolution. What's wrong with getting rid of humans in the long run? They've made to much of a mess of things. And maybe evolving into something 'superiour' to the human race might be the best thing man has ever done...

    The aliens I talked to lately think that this is the final step towards being accepted as an 'intelligent race' and become a member of the Universal board of Smart Species :-)

  74. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by chowda · · Score: 1

    Wow... I was hoping the world would grow out of this whole god thing... I'm sure people said the same baseless bullshit about electricity, nuclear power, cars, vaccines, organ transplants and a host of other great advances. In another post you claim not to be a ludite.. but really you're a very similar kind of evil, you reject advancement and hide behind your "god".

    "Why would a god put a pleasure area so close to a waste disposal area" -- some movie

    --

    YouTube & Google Video -> podcast http://castcluster.blogspot.com/
  75. ObTrivia Time by jd · · Score: 2
    The largest naturally-occuring rodents, Amber Rhyser, which lived in Anguila, were larger than a modern Grizzly Bear. Their teeth alone were larger than typical hamsters or mice.

    If these scientists could bring Amber Rhyser back from extinction, or modify rodent DNA to produce a modern version, THAT would be impressive. And would create a whole new chair-manufacturing industry for sitcoms.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    1. Re:ObTrivia Time by North · · Score: 1

      yeah - maybe they could find an old Amber Rhyser that's been preserved in tree sap and use that DNA along with this new large mouse DNA, and they might be on to something.

      i can picture it now - "Amber Rhyser and the Hendersons"

      ------------------

    2. Re:ObTrivia Time by SubconsciousSeraphim · · Score: 1

      If I'm correct, the capybara is currently the largest rodent in the world. According to the same page, the scientific name either translates to "water hog" or "water joy". Either way, at about two feet long, high, whatever- they is big muthas.

      Growing is scary.

  76. But... by cdgod · · Score: 1



    Could they create a monkey with 6 asses?

    --
    This .Sig is left intentionally humourless.
  77. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by FascDot+Killed+My+Pr · · Score: 1

    "AIDS is not there no punish those of low moral quality, it is there to punish us all for allowing these people to become part of normal society rather than being reviled for their unGodly perversions."

    And when someone comes up with a cure for AIDS (besides putting homosexuals in concentration camps, I mean)? Does that mean that humans are smarter than God? Or does it mean God decided homos are "OK after all"? Or is it your contention that AIDS cannot and will not be cured? If so, that is a prediction that can be checked, so soon we'll know if God exists and what his feelings on same-sex marriage are.

    "...the liberal "educators" that have an agenda to destroy any trace of Christian ethics from children's education."

    Which Christian ethics are we talking about? The ones from the New Testament like "love thy neighbor" or the ones from the Old Testament like "an eye for an eye"? Didn't you get the word? Jesus made the OT obsolete. All the liberals *I* know are trying to help people--sounds a lot like "love" doesn't it? (before you conclude that I am a liberal, though, consider that "trying" and "succeeding" are two different things).

    [Responding to "we haven't blown ourselves up with nuclear weapons"] "Because up until recently decent Christian ethics were viewed as important, and people heeded the word of God."

    Are you under the impression that the US is the only country with nuclear weapons? The USSR had them at the same time as us and they didn't blow up the planet either. Remember the USSR? The "Evil Empire" run by "militant atheists"?

    "I think you are mistaking me for some kind of Luddite, which I am obviously not."

    It's less obvious than you think.

    "I am merely concerned about the dangers which genetics poses..."

    Someone actually concerned with dangers will inform themselves and then propose solutions. YOU are using frankenscience to try to scare people "back to God".

    "...and how Christianity has been slandered and then abanonded by a society that is walking straight into Satan's grasp with open arms."

    How is genetic research related to Christianity? The only link you provide is the old "things man was not meant to meddle with". Read a history book; this phrase has been used to decry airplanes, electricity, astronomy and probably the written word.

    "Any right-thinking person should agree with what I'm saying."

    As long as you define "right-thinking" correctly, anyway.
    --

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  78. Re:ANTI-TROLL, LAST POST by streetlawyer · · Score: 1

    Victory!!! Face it, you are ^moa, and YHL. I have looked into my heart to decide whether I look stupid, and I did not see the heart of an "Anti-troll" who singlehandedly sustained a troll thread.

  79. BZZZZZZZZT!! by Sith+Lord+Jesus · · Score: 1

    Sorry, I don't believe in "god;" as far as I am concerned there is no such thing. Please try again with a rational, intelligent, fact-based argument. Nothing else will be responded to by me. Thank you very much and have a nice day.

    --

  80. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now (OT) by Paradigm+Lost · · Score: 1

    We are evil because of Satan's influence in the world turning people away from the love of the Lord through such popular modern myths as the Big Bang theory, "evolution" (as if sheer chance could result in human beings!) and atheism.

    I would just like to say that evolution has been proven a lot more than "creationism".

    But Catholics are not Christians and are destined for Hell when they die. Their worship of idols such as the "virgin" Mary and their "saints" precludes them from being Christians. Their so-called "religion" is a foul mockery of Christianity.

    Which means... Mother Teresa Burns in Hell!!!!

    BTW: yes, I realise IHBT. IHL. HAND.

    --
    -Dead Lesbian Witches! Think about it!
  81. This is a phenomenal feat... by noreaga · · Score: 1

    I would someday like to run a restaurant a la McDonalds in New York or Chicago (where there is a plethora of muskrats and vermon), but I can't even afford the overgrown, over-chemicalized cows from South America. New York & 'Chi-Town' have plenty of large rats (from what I know, they're free to collect) and I'm positively sure that customers won't be able to tell hormonized grade D minsed beef apart from grade A genetically mutated minse rat sirloin...

  82. Whoa, hold on a sec, who's talking about fun here? by Guppy · · Score: 2

    "And this sentance - "Scientists in Australia have done some fun things with genetics ..." - am I the only person who thinks that this flappant attitude is appalling? Tinkering with the natural order of things which God has decreed is not a "bit of fun", it is both dangerous and amoral and needs to be stopped."

    Wait a moment... feel free to flame Timothy, who submitted the story, but besides him, who's talking about fun here? If you'll take a look at the original Nature article, the scientists who published the article have a serious, sober attitude towards their own work.

  83. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Paradigm+Lost · · Score: 1
    Ooh, a grammer flame, how mature. That obviously lends credence to your arguments.
    Actually, that was just a spelling flame. And correct spelling obviously does lend some credence to an argument. Or perhaps we should all +aK3 B1FF 5eR10(_)5 |\|0\\/ !!11!
    --
    -Dead Lesbian Witches! Think about it!
  84. You could not be more wrong by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 1

    And when someone comes up with a cure for AIDS (besides putting homosexuals in concentration camps, I mean)? Does that mean that humans are smarter than God? Or does it mean God decided homos are "OK after all"? Or is it your contention that AIDS cannot and will not be cured? If so, that is a prediction that can be checked, so soon we'll know if God exists and what his feelings on same-sex marriage are.

    *Sigh*. Are you really this stupid or all you trying to "troll" me? If so, then it's worked.

    Have you ever heard of this concept called free will which God, in his infinite wisdom, gave mankind? We have the ability to act for ourselves, and this is a prime example. God has not sent AIDS to destroy us, merely to guide us to the correct path. By these kinds of challenges our faith in the Lord is upheld - after all since we were created in His image we are supposed to be better than mere animals.

    Which Christian ethics are we talking about? The ones from the New Testament like "love thy neighbor" or the ones from the Old Testament like "an eye for an eye"? Didn't you get the word? Jesus made the OT obsolete.

    Only to people like you with an anti-Christian agenda. Those of us who know the Truth in their hearts can easily reconcile any of your so-called "contradictions". Only the faithless have this "problem" with the word of God.

    All the liberals *I* know are trying to help people--sounds a lot like "love" doesn't it? (before you conclude that I am a liberal, though, consider that "trying" and "succeeding" are two different things).

    The facade of kindness that the liberal hardliners project to the world may be clever enough to fool easily-led sheep like you, but for those of us who know what is really going on the real truth of the atheist-liberal agenda is readily apparent. If you spent less time reading the media and more time thinking for yourself you might realise what is going on underneath your nose as well.

    Are you under the impression that the US is the only country with nuclear weapons? The USSR had them at the same time as us and they didn't blow up the planet either. Remember the USSR? The "Evil Empire" run by "militant atheists"?

    And look at where their lack of faith has got them. When they turned their back upon God, he turned his back upon them.

    How is genetic research related to Christianity? The only link you provide is the old "things man was not meant to meddle with". Read a history book; this phrase has been used to decry airplanes, electricity, astronomy and probably the written word.

    I do not have a problem with science per se, merely those blasphemous aspects which seek to undermine the Truth of the Creation and God's role in the Universe - the pseudo-science of cosmology and genetic engineering. These are the arenas that the atheists are using to discredit decent Christians in favour of their bleak, deterministic views. Through this paradigm they seek to make us all equal and soulless, all the better to enslave.



    ---
    Jon E. Erikson
    --

    Jon Erikson, IT guru

    1. Re:You could not be more wrong by FascDot+Killed+My+Pr · · Score: 1

      "God has not sent AIDS to destroy us, merely to guide us to the correct path."

      And I repeat my question. When a cure for AIDS is found and we can "stray from the path" with impunity, does this mean that the path changed? Or what we successfully defeated one of God's "tests"? Or will you change your mind about AIDS being a test? No, you'll probably say that "now we've gone too far" and you'll die and angry bitter person. And your son (or grandson) will look back and wonder what all the hubbub was. O tempora, O mores.

      "Those of us who know the Truth in their hearts can easily reconcile any of your so-called "contradictions". Only the faithless have this "problem" with the word of God."

      Methinks you doth protest too much. I wasn't comparing the OT and the NT to find contradictions--I'm well aware of the standard (and I think reasonable) reasons for the the discrepancies.

      I was comparing the "liberal agenda" to the NT and your "God is raining fire and brimstone down on us" rhetoric to the OT.

      "...but for those of us who know what is really going on the real truth of the atheist-liberal agenda is readily apparent."

      So....are you going to fill me in? Or do I only get to know the "real truth" once I reach the "inner circle". Will I also get a secret handshake?

      I see you chose to ignore the USSR argument. The original statement was that we (humans) had managed not to blow up Earth. You said it was because we had "Christian ethics". I pointed out that Communists didn't subscribe to these ethics and also didn't blow us up. You respond with offtopic references to the fall of the USSR.

      "I do not have a problem with science per se, merely those blasphemous aspects which seek to undermine the Truth of the Creation and God's role in the Universe..."

      They you DO have a problem with science per se. Science is about asking questions and finding answers. The fundamental belief of ALL scientists is that there are no questions that "should not be asked". If you feel that certain areas "shouldn't be explored" then you are anti-science, period.
      --

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      Linux MAPI Server!
      http://www.openone.com/software/MailOne/
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    2. Re:You could not be more wrong by Xerithane · · Score: 2
      God has not sent AIDS to destroy us, merely to guide us to the correct path.

      And you have the road map here I am assuming from your rants. I am a Christian, but I am no where near as arrogant as you. I really hope you do read this one.
      Repeat after me: NO HUMAN KNOWS THE WILL OR INTENT OF GOD. PERIOD. EVER.
      And you never will, so do not patronize scientists who may be in divine light with their genetic research. Perhaps that is God's plan and you are a tool of the devil. You never know because any human's futile little mind couldn't conceive of a fraction of God's plan.
      moral of my post: Don't speak for God.

      nerdfarm.org

      --
      Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.
  85. Bzzzzt! You are wrong! by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 1

    Your "argument" is both closed-minded and simply erroneous - if you will only reply to a "rational, intelligent, fact-based argument" then you have shown that my original post was such by replying. Thank you for the compliment.



    ---
    Jon E. Erikson
    --

    Jon Erikson, IT guru

    1. Re:Bzzzzt! You are wrong! by Sith+Lord+Jesus · · Score: 1

      Further analysis of your comments indicates that you are naught but a brainless troll, wasting everyone's time--including your own. Your remarks will no longer be listened to nor taken seriously by me. Thank you and have a nice time getting a life.

      --

  86. The subtitle... by Wog · · Score: 1

    Perhaps the subtitle should have been:

    Run-Away!-Run-Away!

  87. Cool Pet / Feral Gigamice by GSearle · · Score: 1
    I want one for a pet! Mice have great personalities and are generally friendly. Imagine pet stores selling bigger, smarter mice. Cool!

    Like any pet, however, some will probably escape or be set loose, and then we'll be overrun with smart, big, feral mice. I don't know if I want those running around the neighborhood. They'd give the feral cats something to think about, and the sewer rats some competition.

  88. THE RADIOACTIVE HAMSTERS FROM A PLANET NEAR MARS! by Accipiter · · Score: 2
    Well well, look at that hamster, he's as big as a blimp,
    And there's one the size of Central Park.
    They're usin' telephone poles to pick their teeth.
    They're evil and nasty, and they glow in the dark.

    Well don't waste any more of your bullets, boys.
    You know it just makes 'em mad when you shoot.
    They're gonna stomp us into jelly, and conquer the world.
    But you gotta admit, they're really - kinda cute now.

    Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a planet near Mars.
    A race from a distant place, they came in UFO's shaped just like Cuban cigars.
    Man, oh man, you oughta hear 'em squeal.
    Now the whole wide world is their exercise wheel.
    Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a planet near Mars.

    -- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?

    --

    -- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?
    (If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't. :P)

  89. Thank God for this... by zombieking · · Score: 1

    Now they need to start working on a 50 foot Daryl Hannah. For the love of all things holy, I sure hope so.... heh heh.

    --

    -----
    "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
  90. Rats by CaptTofu · · Score: 1

    they've basically created rats from mice. Isn't that nice?! Just what we need - more rats.

  91. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Defiler · · Score: 1

    Hehe.. Trolls are funny.

  92. What's next? by Pahan · · Score: 1
    I think the scientists who did this and the scientists who made smart mice should collaborate in making an ingenious, giant mouse!

    What should we call it? Mousezilla? Mickey Cong? Mouse-ra? Can we pick a name without getting sued by the producer of the original? Can you imagine these mice turning on their creators and taking over the world?! Can you imagine what that will do to a certain TV show?

    Pinky: So what are we doing tonight, Brain?
    Brain: The same thing we do every night -- try to... Oh, nevermind.

  93. As Norm Macdonald would say... by volpe · · Score: 1

    The scientists have decided to call their new genetically-engineered creature...... The Rat

  94. Wait until 2018 by clickety6 · · Score: 1
    Sports News, Superbowl XXXXXVVIIetc.

    Today the Outbacks hammered the Jets in a 592-0 win, the highest ever in Superbowl History.

    Bruce Billabong, the 12 foot, 650-lb quaterback said, "Well, mate, we coulda gone for more, but there weren't none of the other team left standing, like, and we didn't think it woulda been sporting to continue".

    Meanwhile, NBA player Bruce Billabong II has racked up a record 500 points with his novel technique of dropping the ball into the basket.

    --
    ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
  95. Jeez what a thing to make giant mutant versions of by Moderation+abuser · · Score: 5

    Next it'll be rats, spiders, snakes, ants and women. Then we'll all be living in a real live B movie. Actually, come to think of it, giant mutant women might be quite interesting.

    --
    Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
  96. ... giant women by fialar · · Score: 1
    Hey I'm all for giant women. The bigger the better. :)

    Seriously though, Genetic engineering is pretty scary. Look at all the GM crops. People in Britain will not buy GM food, so the farmers were told by the British gov't to slash and burn their crops and they are now suing Advanto.

    Unfortunately, the genie is out of the bottle, and there has been conclusive evidence of horizontal gene flow from plants to animals. How would you like some Scorpion DNA in an Apple? They are already doing it. A lot of Biotech companies like Monsanto are extremely short-sighted when it comes to proper research and testing. There's no way of telling how much damage has already been done and how much more damage will occur.

    Fialar

  97. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by DJerman · · Score: 2
    Sure, there COULD be bad things that come of this technology, but other great scientific discoveries, like electricity, can also be used for the powers of darkness. Quick, shut down your PC - it uses the Devil's own power!

    Don't grin too quickly -- Edison was dead set against AC current, as he couldn't handle the math, and he was heavily invested in DC technology. His "AC Kills" campaign electrocuted a number of horses and dogs... Even smart people can be threatened by new technology.

    --
  98. Giant breasts by ch-chuck · · Score: 2

    What's next, giant women?

    now there's a scientists dream - forget those messy troublesome si or whatnot implants.

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  99. Balance of genes by justin42 · · Score: 2

    The body works by balancing everything. Out bodies are constantly releasing and absorbing. When our blood sugar gets low we release one chemical, when its high we release another. Although many times we're lopsided and only using one chemical/hormone. But the balance is there to protect us from most circumstances, its our backup system, that stops us from getting into an infinite loop. Cancer is caused by cells loosing their ability to stop growing.

    It's dangerous knowing that sciencetists removing a restricting gene is progress. In my mind its an ignorant move to make a headline. This breakthough is closer to cancer than anything else.

    Scientists should be looking for ways to better control the balance, not pushing it until it breaks (were we don't learn anything)

    1. Re:Balance of genes by Paul87 · · Score: 1

      Scientists should be looking for ways to better control the balance, not pushing it until it breaks (were we don't learn anything Isn't that sort of like "hacking" though? You know, looking at the source code, changing a bit to see what happens and then learning from the results?

  100. They're not really 'giant mutant mice' .... by taniwha · · Score: 2

    until they attack Tokyo, knock down a few buildings and have a face off with Godzilla ...

  101. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by mizhi · · Score: 1


    Women with giant, well-formed tits and perfectly sculpted asses?

    Horror of horrors! =)

    I understand the fear... but framing it in a Christian mythological context doesn't really strengthen your argument.

    --
    Humorless sig goes here.
  102. Pamela DNA Anderson by billcopc · · Score: 1

    I wonder if they could nuke the growth-inhibiting gene in breasts as an alternative to mammary implants.

    Then they can genetically engineer stronger ribs to hold the damn heavy things in place.

    The scary thought is that there's probably some dumb american somewhere who could actually make money with these retarded ideas.

    --
    -Billco, Fnarg.com
  103. New Mac Mouse by mizhi · · Score: 1

    Perhaps apple should look in to genetically engineering large, intelligent mice to replace their old, stuffy no wire, no button mouse. =) And make it cartoony like for the kids... like Tom & Jerry... everytime you want to click something, hit the mouse with a large mallet.

    --
    Humorless sig goes here.
  104. Sylvester by cybercuzco · · Score: 1
    Sylvester the cat wont just have to worry about kangaroos anymore! Sufferin Sucotash!

    --

  105. Inhibiting Inhibitors by CptLogic · · Score: 2

    It occurs to me that what has been done here is to remove, in infancy, the manufacture of a growth regulator. However, for corrective purposes I fail to see how this helps that much.

    We need to ask ourselves whether growth problems are due to over production of growth inhibitor or underproduction of stimulant.

    If I carry a genetic predisposition to produce less growth hormone than normal, is the answer to increase that production or reduce my ability to control my growth processes by paring down my inhibitor production to redress the imbalance?

    My veiw on this is that the best way to solve the problem is liberal application of Ochams shaving device. How often have you trashed your installation because you wanted to upgrade too many components in one go? Right. Now pretend it's your unborn baby/ newborn child that needs "upgrading".

    The ability to remove an inhibitor does not, in my opinion, provide the correct fix.

    Chris.

  106. Nothing to see here! by afc · · Score: 2

    They're not giant mice, they're actually kangaroos, damn it. You think people would suspect, these news coming from Australia.
    Don't you people pay attention to Daffy Duck cartoons anymore?

    --
    Information wants to be beer, or something like that.
  107. Bad Idea by derrickh · · Score: 1

    How long will it be until parents are able to order tall boys or big breasted girls? Dad's will order football playing sons and moms will get beauty queen daughters.

    This is a bad thing.

    D

  108. New NBA genetic science? by Whatthehellever · · Score: 1

    While this may make an incredible advance in regeneration of tissue, muscles and other medicinal needs, I can see this already being secretly tested on humans. Enter: The next NBA stars that are 7-foot plus!

    --

    ---
    IMHO, of course.
    May the SOURCE be with you.
  109. Mutant Mice nightmare by YAH00 · · Score: 1

    Anyone read Stephen King's Nightshift?

  110. Giant mice reproducing! by GutterBunny · · Score: 1

    Great! Mickey & Minnie have finally reproduced. Probably through invitro. :)

    --
    managers...why god invented purgatory
  111. A step in the right direction... by Denor · · Score: 2
    This is a very good idea. We need only to do the following:
    • Apply this technique to turtles
    • Teach them martial arts
    Then, and only then, can we rid ourselves of the evil Shredder and his minions!

    Turtle power!
    --
    -Denor
  112. Re:Scary thought... giant soldiers? by Harald74 · · Score: 1

    I hope it's not long. Then that mad dictator can start spending money for equipment, feeding, special medical care and other things that are bound to be an issue with big soldiers.

    For what it's worth: If I was a mad dictator, with x amount of money to burn on my bodyguard, I think I'd get more "bang for the buck" by hiring regular goons and equipping them properly, rather than set up some regular breeding program for supersoldiers. And anyway, big, bad supersoldiers can't stop a laser guided bomb any better than the regular kind.

    --
    A)bort, R)etry or S)elf-destruct?
  113. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by powerlord · · Score: 1

    True... but the other side of it was that it was a competitor.

    Edison owned most of the patents for DC current
    while Westinghouse (mostly due to and because of Tesla) owned most of the patents for AC current.

    I believe that in an effort to sway the public, Edison even went as far as making sure the first electric chair was AC so people would associate AC current with death.

    --
    This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
  114. its a trick by mrsalty · · Score: 1

    They just put some rats in their place. They are probably up for a grant or something:)

    --
    -- Hail Eris
  115. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by IronChef · · Score: 1

    >Tinkering with the natural order of things which God has decreed is not a "bit of fun", it is both dangerous and amoral and needs to be stopped.

    Let's see how enthusiastic you are about that belief when you or a loved one are saved from some horrible disease by a cure produced through biotechnology. Know any diabetics? Where do you think that insulin comes from?

    And as far as the GOD angle -- well, I am not religious, But let me say this: He gave us BRAINS, and HANDS, and DRIVE, and we are supposed to sit idle? Where do you draw the line between progress and "tinkering with the natural order of things?"

    I could not worship a god who gave us such wonderful minds, yet expected us to sit around in mud hovels. No thanks.

    >Genetic "engineering" is not a bit of fun, it is the greatest threat to humanity we have ever faced.

    This I will agree with you on. Genetic engineering has the potential to ruin the planet like nothing since atomic weapons. It also has the potential to transform our world in wonderful ways. We MUST proceed. The benefits are too great to ignore. But we must be cautious. Circumspect. Scientific. Patient.

  116. Just ignore Erikson, he's a habitual Troll by dingbat_hp · · Score: 1

    Just look at the User Info. He's clearly a sufferer from Bipolar Compulsive Troll Disorder; one moment it's a rational comment, the next it's a Looney Tune. Please don't feed him any more karma.

  117. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by _marshall · · Score: 1
    The scientists who spend their time butchering innocent mice would be better off, both scientifically and ethically, spending their time doing something which is a) of benefit to people and not mice and b) less offensive to decent Christians.

    Too bad not everybody agrees with you (or me, for that matter) Do you think we should always take into consideration what "everyone" will think? Hell, if everyone was so tied up with giving offense to other people, we'd have a world of Britney Spears. God forbid.

    Did you take the consideration of offending "decent geeks" on this board when you posted that reply? Give me a break, getting all religious about the subject offends many people.

    [insert foot in mouth here]

    ~Marshall

    --
    Homer: "No beer, No TV make Homer something something";
    Marge: "Go crazy?";
    Homer: "Don't mind if I do!"
  118. Cloning for political Advancement by FatSean · · Score: 1

    The most obvious use of cloning is to grab cells of children destined to be political figures! Grow them in a vat...if the person does become famous/infamous you've got tabloid fodder of the highest order!

    Put the clone in a compromising position...a blood drenched midget orgy, kicking a puppy, slapping a ho...and tape it!

    Instant Blackmail.

    --
    Blar.
  119. Waitaminute... by QuarterSauce · · Score: 1

    Wasn't it "you Europeans" who cloned that sheep? Don't bitch to me about GM "muck". Plus, Slashdot needs every non-Linux story it can get - it's about News for Nerds, not News for Linux.

  120. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by FFFish · · Score: 2

    God's plan, my ass. You don't need some damned religious argument to say that direct genetic manipulation is dangerous/bad/etc.

    Mankind has been diddling genetics since we came out of the trees and started planting gardens. Selective breeding has been a rule of plant/animal husbandry (why not wifery?) forever and a day.

    The difference is that our previous genetic meddlings have involved selecting traits and cross-breeding. Everything stayed within the pyhlum, if not always the species (depending on your definition of species; substitute family, I suppose).

    Now, however, we're directly buggering with genes. Minced genes are being fired into cells to create mutations, with *no* idea of what those mutations might result in. This is controlled selective cross-breeding: it's mad scientist chaos.

    And we're mixing phylum. You might thrust your woody through the knothole in the fence, but it wasn't gonna give you progeny...

    ...but now human metalothienen, a gene that is expressed in quantity in breast and testicular cancer, is being combined with plant genes. The offspring is good at sucking up toxic metals -- but no one in a position of responsibility seems to consider it a poor idea to put human cancer genes into a crop that will express those genes in its pollen, which we'll end up breathing.

    ...a Brazilian nut gene was spliced into soybeans, to produce a "better" soybean. Unfortunately, said product tended to kill people with nut allergies. And soybean is used in some 80% of processed foods.

    ...and then we have Monsanto, which has genetically engineered its seeds to be sterile in the second generation. All well and good, until the damned things cross-pollinate with the crops of those farmers who put aside seed to replant next year. We'll all be up shit creek when a third of our crops fail.

    The long and the short of it is that selective breeding programs never put anyone at risk: the offspring weren't going to be dangerous mutant creatures that would savage the existing good populations, cause illness in humans or render our food supplies sterile.

    We've got very smart people doing very amazing things with genetics, but refusing their moral responsibility of ensuring public safety.

    It's a bloody shame, and I think that within the next twenty years, we'll be living in fear of the results. It's the nuclear scare all over again, played out with biology.

    --

    --

    --
    Don't like it? Respond with words, not karma.
  121. genetic manipulation = BAD. by elph- · · Score: 2

    why dont we using this technology to create giant cows, potatoes, etc?

    because its a BAD idea.
    do you seriously think the growth inhibitor is there for no reason? think thats all it does, inhibit growth?
    A while ago, they almost started spreading a gentically engineered plant that would help take impurities out of the soil, help clean up the environment, etc. good intentions.

    this plant also turned out to put something back, which would be the botanical equivelant of cancer.

    so, no, this would not be cool.

  122. Sort of... by DarkMan · · Score: 2

    It is possable to alter genes at any time. Doing it on a single cell is much easier than on many millions of cells, so pre-natal genetic modification is preffered, from that point of view.

    However, there are other aspects too. If you take a fully grown man, and change his genes so that he would grow to 8 foot tall, his height isjust not goin to change. This is because he has already passed the stage where such gene would be used. It's the same for eye colour - your eye are already grown, so they won't chage, even if you change the genes.

    However, altering a 5 year old childs gene to make him grow to 8 foot tall would have an effect (although possibly not the _full_ effect), as he has most of his growing still to do. This assumes that you can get the genes to the appropriate cells suitable.

    This is a slightly hand-wavy explanation, but I believe it gets the point across.

    In summary, gene therepay can only change how you grow, not how you have grown.

    For example, in Cystic Fibrosis, the lungs produce mucus that is too sticky. Gene therapy can help, as it can tell the lungs to make mucus with the correct level of stickyness. After a shot time, the mucus in the lungs will be replaced with the corrected mucus, fixing that problem.

    With Downs syndrome, however, the brain develops abnormally. Correcting the genetic fault will not fix the symtoms, because the brain is fully grown, and thus not fixable in this way (other solutions, howwever, are possable).

  123. Re:Yer smart. Not. by streetlawyer · · Score: 1
    It is still inconvenient for you and ruins your trolls, though.

    Check out Jon Erikson's troll in this thread to see how much effect "ANTI TROLL" fuckers like you have on the slashbots. Slim just rode out of town, mate. Since you have no effect on the number of slashbots replying, the only effect you have is to boost our troll scores by a factor of 1 (or more if we can get a good flamewar going with you, like this one).

    By the way, I have a life, and a small percent of it is dedicated to troll fighting.

    It's a life, Jim, but not as we know it :-)

    Sue me.

    I do believe you are trying to fuck wit' me, sir. Are you trying to fuck wit me, sir?

    -streetlawyer, a rusty nail and your balls. What a combination

  124. Re:Yer smart. Not. by ZikZak · · Score: 1
    Hey there, big fella! btw, ever read Cryptonomicon? Especially the parts about how people leave traces w/out realizing it? Just a thouht: You might want to examine your posting patterns.

    Some dreadful cliches for you to chew on:
    Zero sum game.
    You can't win because trolls play to lose.
    You are trying to drown a fish.

    Yup, I'm a-postin' logged in, so come give me a kiss, cutie-pie! You turn me on!

  125. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by streetlawyer · · Score: 1

    He also helpfully suggested when people were looking for a word for what happens to you in an electric chair, that "westinghoused" had more of a ring to it than "electrocuted"

  126. Oh God, not you again by streetlawyer · · Score: 1
    Look, as I have fucking explained to you until I was blue in the face, nobody has ever been paid money for trolling. What you call the "Uber-Troll" clan are just a group of friends (mostly located in the Andover, Mass. area, but by no means exclusively), who occasionally enjoy teasing a few other friends, who work for andover.net, by pointing out to them the abysmally low standards of intelligence of the audience of their number one media holding. Some of us have been paid money by andover.net, but for completely unrelated reasons.

    Slashbots, we let this fool (he usually posts logged in, under the name "Roundeye"; it's the trolling identity of "Enoch Root") onto our "punishment-for-slashbots" mailing list, basically because he kept pestering Jon Erikson. He got a little bit excited, and didn't really fit in, so (after a few stupid flamewars), we unsubbed him. Ever since, he's had a chip on his shoulder, and has been trying to take revenge (I think he's "Penis Bird Guy", and he may have been working with Warren "opensourceman" on the lawsuit hoax; osm is a sort of semi-detached member of the list).

    Nothing to see here, move on please, people.

  127. classic: pied piper by peter303 · · Score: 1

    That one scared as a kid- but I forget whether it
    was the rats or cheesy music.

  128. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by ktakki · · Score: 1
    Any right-thinking person should agree with what I'm saying.
    Surely, you must have meant right wing. k.
    --
    "In spite of everything, I still believe that people
    are really good at heart." - Anne Frank
    --
    "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank
  129. Hey - This can save money!!! by spagthorpe · · Score: 2

    This would totally lower my snake feeding bills.

    --

    WWJD -- What Would Jimi Do?
    (Smash amp, burn guitar, take home the groupies)

  130. B-movie plot. by Polo · · Score: 1

    Giant mice escape from laboratory, breed with
    common mice, etc....

    Funny thing - this could REALLY happen today!

    I'm glad they're not experimenting with cockroaches.

  131. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by Spy · · Score: 1

    As I understand it: In our "world" the only constant is change. Sucess == Adapting to said change. Whom/What ever adapts the best and/or most quickly wins. This explains why a bipedal mammal with a oversized hunk-o-gray matter could really only be thretened by itself. What this means IMVHO: We have nothing to worry about untill some nut makes something that can adapt better and/or faster than ourselfs or our bioshpear. IMVHO things we make are poorer at adapting than the even the controlled enviroemnts they are kept in. We have to adapt and protect them manually. (Cows, Silk Worms, Grains, etc.) I do not think that we have much to worry about untill somebody applys some kind if meta adaptation abilities to a sequance. (Oops, looks like "God" did it to us.)

  132. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by smagruder · · Score: 1

    Thanks for the comedy relief, Jon! It made my day.

    --
    Steve Magruder, Metro Foodist
  133. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by smagruder · · Score: 1

    A small mind is a terrible thing to use.

    --
    Steve Magruder, Metro Foodist
  134. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by powerlord · · Score: 1

    True. Forgot about that one myself.

    Not to get off topic, (well...) but on the off topic, 'topic' of 'ways to exert preasure', I seem to recall Henry Ford discriminating against minorities and the major motion picture houses (then mostly owner/run by Jews) told him to change his policy or else every week in the News Reel, they would make sure to find footage of a Ford car getting into an accident. After a few weeks he recanted and complied.

    --
    This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
  135. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by SuperCujo · · Score: 1

    Jon,

    I was the 'flappant' one who posted this story in the first place, so direct some of your weak flame over here.

    How can you say that genetic engineering has no good reason? If this research allows people with growth disorders to be 'normal' then I am all for it. Also, if genetically modified plants can help stop hunger in the world, I am all for it.

    How can you sit there proclaiming christian decency, when the focus of your religion, God (if he/she/it exists, which I dont believe for a second), does nothing to help millions of starving people around the world when they have done nothing wrong.

    About your ethics comittee you want set up, what happens if a scientist performs something that the ethics comittee does not allow and a cure for Parkinson's disease was found (first disease that came to mind). If the cure is available but the ethics comittee said it shouldnt be done, what do you do? I know I'd take the cure over a bunch of people talking lots of hot air.

    --
    --- Can i borrow your Clue-Stick(tm)? I need to go beat a few people with it...
  136. Re:It doesn't have to. by Gog_Magog · · Score: 1

    Since a gene can only code for a protein, there is not always the need for genetic alteration. You could achieve the same thing with simply finding a means of supplying the protein. If it requires prolonged exposure, changing the gene would be desireable. But if you only need it for a few years or months, other arrangements could be made. Like injections, gene therepy, etc.

  137. Re:Whats this - nuthin to do with Linux or compute by Mithrandir · · Score: 1
    Yup, watch out for them redbacks under the dunny seat in the olympic village. They might kill you. Don't forget all the brown snakes. Always having to throw them out of the boot of my LandRover! Dunno how the mungrels crawl in there. They're a real pest. Personally kill five of the blighters in the past week alone...

    Also, all of them killer kangaroos hoping down the main street of Sydney are a bloody nuisance too. They cause a lot problems during peak hour. Hope they get rid of them for the Olympics. But, I guess the greenies will have a bit of a problem with that.

    --
    Life is complete only for brief intervals in between toys or projects -- John Dalton
  138. Other uses of the gene by mimon2 · · Score: 1

    Well, I am actually from Australia, and my brother works in a lab that primarily does genetic research. I sent him the text of the ABC story a few minutes ago, and here is a snip from his response ...

    "However, a lot of the work I am doing at the moment is on SOCS 1, 2 and 3
    except I have moved on from mice onto enlarging, well lets say, certain human
    organs. "

    Yay, at last something useful from this research!

  139. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by TheSencho · · Score: 1

    A few suggested changes to make your statements more accurate: less offensive to decent Christians should be less offensive to my view of what Christianity is. I'm sure, unless you've met these scientists, that no one is in any position to judge their faith. God has decreed seems out of place. I seemed to miss the Thou shall not breed giant mice bit in the Bible, but I'll have to double check. Although, I'm curious as to when the mind of God became know to anyone. Seems a little blashpemous to decide God's view on issues. And greatest threat to humanity?? Lets remember that science has never produced something that is evil or amoral. Everything produced is perfectly neutral, neither good or evil. It's what we do with it that makes or breaks an item. No, the greatest threat to humanity is ignorance. The old saying, A little bit of knowledge is dangerous is VERY true. Most people nowadays have a little bit of knowledge about sensitive subjects and react in a paranoid fashion. So, read up. Genetic engineering isn't anywhere near what SciFi authors think it'll be. All these scientists have done is confirm one effect of one gene and breed a Super Sized snack for snakes...nothing more. Relax, breathe, and study.

  140. Oh for the love of formatting... by TheSencho · · Score: 1

    Well, in an example of not using a technology properly, I forgot the paragraph coding...sorry about that.

  141. Re:We need to stop this "bit of fun" now by TheSencho · · Score: 1
    We are evil because of Satan's influence in the world turning people away from the love of the Lord through such popular modern myths as the Big Bang theory, "evolution" (as if sheer chance could result in human beings!) and atheism. God gave us free will because that way our love for him will mean something rather than being blind obedience.

    Ah yes, the old, Satan is capable of overcoming God's Love bit. Of course, this can't be true, because God is all powerful, so it must be our free will (Which not all Christians believe in either) which leads us astray. And then, when free will leads us to question God's relevance or existence, "Good Christians" attack those decisions as evil and against "God's plan". Quite the conundrum, having to live with such a vicious bit of circular logic.

    Murder is only ethical when it is done in the name of the Lord, to protect His followers or to punish those who oppose his Truth. Sin cannot accrue to one who acts according to the Lord's wishes.

    I seemed to miss that bit in the Bible. Wasn't it "thou shall not kill" instead of "thou shall not kill, except...(insert your cause here)".

    But Catholics are not Christians and are destined for Hell when they die. Their worship of idols such as the "virgin" Mary and their "saints" precludes them from being Christians. Their so-called "religion" is a foul mockery of Christianity.

    Whoa. Where did this come from. I think the Catholics have all of the Born Agains and Protestants beat, since they were founded by people who knew Jesus. Powerful case for them being true Christians. Besides, aren't all people who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior Christians? Wasn't that what his life was about?

    Hopefully, two points will come to mind.

    1) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" from the good ol' Ten Commandments. Notice the "before" bit. Doesn't say, besides, it says before. Which clears the Catholics of being a "foul mockery" as long as they worship God first and formost. Everything else is fair game after that.

    2) "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment that you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get" (Matthew 7.1-5) should never be forgotten when judgements like "are destined for Hell when they die" are leveled.

    And I'm still looking for "Thou shall not breed giant mice" bit...maybe Mel Brooks dropped it?

  142. Re:Whats this - nuthin to do with Linux or compute by iamplasma · · Score: 1
    Yeah, well I'm thinking that we should just take the special paw-clamps off the kangaroos so that they just fall off the bottom of the Earth.

    Gotta go out the back again, the damn outdoor dunny is clogged up with dingo droppings, and then I'd better go throw another shrimp on the barbie.

  143. God is Asleep, and shi isn't waking up soon. by Kiz315 · · Score: 1

    This is not a troll or flame. Please moderate accordingly.
    --

    In the beginning, there was God. Shi was asleep. Without much warning, hir alarm clock went off.
    Reaching into the darkness (because light didn't exist yet), God started groping around for the snooze button. Shi found a button and smacked it. Unfortunately, the button was the detonator for an infinately dense amount of mass.
    Now fully awake and realizing what shi'd done (setting off the big bang), God muttered an obcenity and went back to sleep. Shi's been asleep ever since.

    Again, this is not meant to be a troll or flame. Please moderate accordingly.

    (BTW, shi and hir are pronouns used to refer to a being that shares both female and male genders.)

    --

    --

    --
    Star Trek vs Star Wars. Take a look. You may like it.
  144. Re:Yer smart. Not. by Zarniwoop · · Score: 1
    I don't know who ANTI-TROLL is but he seems a good bloke. I've been thinking of setting up a sid of my own for discussion of how to combat you.

    Already been done.

    http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid= Vladinator

    Have Fun! :)


    What do I do, when it seems I relate to Judas more than You?

    --
    Still not dead.