From: Twink (neptune@mars.superlink.net)
Date: Fri Nov 21 1997 - 17:23:55 MST
At 06:45 AM 11/21/97 -0500, Brian L. Fritz <bfritz@shol.com> wrote:
>So it seems that crossbreeding would not be an appropriate form of
>uplifting, and possibly not a form of uplifting at all.
The jury is still out, but my focus is on octopuses now.
>I think it's important for researchers to hash out sensitive questions
>before they become issues in the media and general public. I expect a
>strong public backlash against genetic research once we begin altering
>existing species in a significant way. Advocates of such research need
>to be prepared for this. If we cannot quell negative public opinion
>with reasonable arguments as to what is ethical and unethical then I
>fear that public pressure will lead to over restrictive government
>regulation of reaserch.
I don't really care about public outcry. A lot of this uplifting work can be
done underground. I am more worried about the moral issues because
I do think there is an objective right and wrong. I'd also hate to be
involved in creating hopeless monsters.
I fear no matter how many scruples we have, the technophobes will
protest and have the numbers. I was thinking of presenting them with
a fait accompli. If we can uplift octopuses -- create "sophoctopoda"
as Sandberg dubbed them -- then they, and everyone, would just have
to accept it.
Daniel Ust
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