I agree that the scientific research being done is not dangerous, or morally wrong, or anything of that nature. But, it is not the scientists that will endanger our society as we know it, and it is not their research that will result in Gattaca and other science fiction horrors. Knowlege in itself is not dangerous.
It is the use of this knowlege that will cause problems. The common acceptence of genetic engineering will affect our society. What is wrong with using genetics to create life, to cure disease and to alleviate suffering? Much is wrong. When we create life, we begin a long journey that will end in disaster. We may forsee this, and we may believe that we know better than to misuse our knowlege, but someone will eventually have the ability to create a dangerous creature, and will, with malicious intent follow through. And when scientists join with physicians and work on curing disease genetically, other things will happen. It seems all very well and good that people will suffer less and disease will be lessened, allowing people to live longer. But Gattaca is just one example of what this sort of thing can lead to. Discrimination by genes, CREATION of disease, and all sorts of other problems will arise. I can hear you thinking that this is not true. This will only happen if we are not responsible. This is only a possibility if the wrong people get their hands on this knowlege and this technology. I tell you now. The wrong people WILL get their hands on it. It is only a matter of when and how. A disgruntled, out-of-work scientist may sell the knowlege, or he may use it himself to get revenge. It is not the moral problems that I am warning about, but the technological and the physicals problems that will occur along the way.
It is evident with all technology. Everything ever created has at one time fallen into the wrong hands. It is only a little more than luck and good fortune that all of us are here today.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree that the scientific research being done is not dangerous, or morally wrong, or anything of that nature. But, it is not the scientists that will endanger our society as we know it, and it is not their research that will result in Gattaca and other science fiction horrors. Knowlege in itself is not dangerous.
It is the use of this knowlege that will cause problems. The common acceptence of genetic engineering will affect our society. What is wrong with using genetics to create life, to cure disease and to alleviate suffering? Much is wrong. When we create life, we begin a long journey that will end in disaster. We may forsee this, and we may believe that we know better than to misuse our knowlege, but someone will eventually have the ability to create a dangerous creature, and will, with malicious intent follow through. And when scientists join with physicians and work on curing disease genetically, other things will happen. It seems all very well and good that people will suffer less and disease will be lessened, allowing people to live longer. But Gattaca is just one example of what this sort of thing can lead to. Discrimination by genes, CREATION of disease, and all sorts of other problems will arise. I can hear you thinking that this is not true. This will only happen if we are not responsible. This is only a possibility if the wrong people get their hands on this knowlege and this technology. I tell you now. The wrong people WILL get their hands on it. It is only a matter of when and how. A disgruntled, out-of-work scientist may sell the knowlege, or he may use it himself to get revenge. It is not the moral problems that I am warning about, but the technological and the physicals problems that will occur along the way.
It is evident with all technology. Everything ever created has at one time fallen into the wrong hands. It is only a little more than luck and good fortune that all of us are here today.
Sydnalloh