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An Alternate Human

B0b Barker writes "What has six limbs, a prehensile tail, its brain in its chest, and reproductive organs in its mouth? The alternate human designed by biologist PZ Myers in Remaking Humanity, a story in Forbes.com's package on Reinvention. It may sound fantastic, but researchers are already working to re-build DNA, proteins and cells in a new field called synthetic biology, and we may have to meet these bug-eyed freaks sometime in our lifetime."

5 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. Oh boy... by Noryungi · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Wait until the religious nuts learn of this one!

    Seriously, though, I am all for science and genetic engineering and all that, but this is simply crazy. We are talking about a world where some people hate other's guts, simply because their skin color is not the same as theirs, where wackos cut other's throats simply because they are not worshipping the same deity*... And you want to release genetically re-engineered humans into society? Sheesh. Talk about premature.

    (*) Even though 99.9999% of all gods are about as real as the Easter Bunny.

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    The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
    1. Re:Oh boy... by LWATCDR · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      "where wackos cut other's throats simply because they are not worshipping the same deity*... "
      Actually in this century you are far more likely to be killed for worshipping any deity than for not worshiping the right one. At least since 1945 atheists have racked up more murders than any religious group. Not that all atheists are mass murders however any humanitarian benefits that such belief has is not demonstrated by statistics.

      http://www.genocidewatch.org/genocidetable2005.htm

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      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    2. Re:Oh boy... by Billosaur · · Score: 0, Flamebait
      Seriously, though, I am all for science and genetic engineering and all that, but this is simply crazy. We are talking about a world where some people hate other's guts, simply because their skin color is not the same as theirs, where wackos cut other's throats simply because they are not worshipping the same deity*... And you want to release genetically re-engineered humans into society? Sheesh. Talk about premature.

      For more information (and a ripping good yarn to boot), read Heinlein's Friday, which carries his usual cogent thought on a society containing "Artificial Persons."

      --
      GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  2. well, one reason to be glad by MORTAR_COMBAT! · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    that the religious right exists. so we don't "have to meet these bug-eyed freaks sometime in our lifetime."

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    MORTAR COMBAT!
  3. Re:A nice soft and warm fur coat like my dog's one by UncleFluffy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ... and the ability to lick your own balls!

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    What would Lemmy do?