From: Zero Powers (zero_powers@hotmail.com)
Date: Sun May 05 2002 - 08:30:18 MDT
>From: "Robert J. Bradbury" <bradbury@aeiveos.com>
> > To say, with the libertarians, that individual freedom
> > should encompass the freedom to redesign those natures on which our very
> > system of rights is based, is not to appeal to anything in the American
> > political tradition.
>
>If the ability to improve oneself does not exist in American political
>tradition, then either the tradition should be changed or a political
>system that allows it should be developed.
I haven't yet quite finished Fukuyama's new book
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0374236437/qid=1020608886/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-8234156-4523919
but I get the gist of it. His gripe with human genetic modification is his
fear that genetic modification will eliminate what he sees as the universal
essential equality of all humans. In his view there would develop two
separate species, akin to Neanderthals and modern humans, competing on the
planet. We, humans, would play the role of Neanderthal while the role of
modern human would be played by GM humans, or posthumans if you will.
Naturally, in a competition between these two groups, the smart money would
be on the GMs.
Fukuyama's dystopia assumes that genetic modification would not be
universally available, due to cost or other barriers. Whether that will be
the case remains to be seen. If it is, there will certainly be major social
and political ramifications, if not upheaval. Even if GM tech is
universally available (like abortion procedures today), there is sure to be
very active and radical opposition, much like today's abortion wars. Anyway
you slice it, some *very* interesting times are a comin'
-Zero
"I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking
that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man.
Has to be." -- George Taylor _Planet of the Apes_ (1968)
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