From: "Alex Future Bokov" <alexboko@umich.edu>
> This is an interesting and useful experiment no more or less cruel
> than what happens to millions of animals every day in labs,
> slaughterhouses, animal shelters, and of course... by predators in
> their natural environments.
Thanks for putting the issue back in credible terms. In addition to the
comparisons you've drawn, let's also remember that experimenters can use
anesthetics and euphorics so that animal subjects not only feel no pain, but
may actually enjoy the ordeal.
> Every day, and nobody gives a damn. It's when the status quo is about
> to get overturned that people start reciting platitudes about ethics,
> and responsibility and so on. If there will be a backlash against
> this, let's all observe very closely. It will be the best case study
> in the psychological processes underlying the animal rights, green,
> anti-GM, and other luddite movements one can hope to have.
You've exposed the real issue here: ideology. It's really not about compassion
or animal rights or anything like it. It's about ideologues feeling threatened
by scientists who are actualizing the convergence of biology and technology.
> I know a person or two who could really use a new body made of harder
> stuff. You know how many lampreys, or mice, or rats, or dogs I'd be
> willing to sacrifice to help bring that dream closer to reality for
> them?
>
> All of them. Every last one.
I'd throw in all the mosquitoes, leeches, and skunks too.
τΏτ
Stay hungry,
--J. R.
Useless hypotheses:
consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism
Everything that can happen has already happened, not just once,
but an infinite number of times, and will continue to do so forever.
(Everything that can happen = more than anyone can imagine.)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon May 28 2001 - 09:59:49 MDT