Genetic Engineering - Good or Bad?

Ok what are people’s thoughts on genetic engineering?
A few freakish stories I heard on the News state that scientists have made a hybrid of a goat and spider! - The reason: to make goat wool that is a strong as steal.
They are also modifying pigs so that, people can accept organ transplants. i.e. they are changing the DNA structure of pigs so that people who need.. Say, a heart transplant, can have a pig's heart.

Do you think this is for the good of the human race, or do you think that scientists are letting the power of genetic engineering get to their heads?

I would hate to be a genetically engineered pig, waiting for some human to get sick so that they could kill me and steal my organs.

[ 07-08-2002, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Mouse ]

[Dreamer128]

Its too dangerous, we still don't know much about the genes. Who knows what kind of horrible side-affects these things could have.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

I agree... we shouldnt experiment. some things arent supposed to be meddled with... the tale of 'pandora's box' springs to mind...

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Deathbringer: I would hate to be a genetically engineered pig, waiting for some human to get sick so that they could kill me and steal my organs.

Oh yeah. It's MUCH better to be a plain old ordinary pig waiting to be killed so that some human can just eat you. I don't think the pig would care for either option myself.

I don't really have a problem with "genetic engineering" myself. I believe God has given us the knowledge and technology to explore it and use it for the betterment of mankind.

Of course, there is always a "flipside" to that type of technology, but that is the price we have to pay. If pig organs could actually be made compatible with humans, then I see nothing wrong with it.

I also have no problem with expirementing on human DNA in order to look for cures for diseases.

I have a chronic illness that will never be cured short of some type of "genetic engineering". One current treatment involves using collagen implants from animals to substitute for human collagen damaged by the illness.

I don't believe in "cloning" - of sheep or humans. We aren't knowledgeable enough to begin "creating life". There are FAR too many intricacies involved for humans to fully comprehend them all. Too many chances for things to go wrong.

However, I do not object at all to modifying existing DNA in search of curing diseases such as Cancer, Aids, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and any number of other "incurable" diseases.

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: quote: Originally posted by Deathbringer: I would hate to be a genetically engineered pig, waiting for some human to get sick so that they could kill me and steal my organs.

Oh yeah. It's MUCH better to be a plain old ordinary pig waiting to be killed so that some human can just eat you. I don't think the pig would care for either option myself.[/QUOTE]True. I didn't think about that.

[RudeDawg]

Originally posted by Deathbringer: Ok what are people’s thoughts on genetic engineering? A few freakish stories I heard on the News state that scientists have made a hybrid of a goat and spider! - The reason: to make goat wool that is a strong as steal.

Actually, the spider-silk proteins are found in the goats milk, not its wool. [img]graemlins/1puke.gif[/img] Here's the story:

Scientists find a way to duplicate spider silk

Originally posted by Terence Chea / The Washington Post Spiders and their intricate webs fascinated humans long before the Hollywood blockbuster "Spider-Man." For centuries, people envied the arachnid's ability to ensnare fast-flying insects with its delicate silk threads. Flexible and lightweight, the best spider silk is five times as strong as steel. ■■■Despite relentless efforts, scientists couldn't figure out how to produce spider silk in large quantities. Unlike silkworms, fiercely territorial spiders can't be farmed because they will eat one another. ■■■Now researchers believe they've found the perfect spider-silk factory where few would look: the udders of dairy goats. On farms in the Montreal suburbs and in Upstate New York, researchers are breeding hundreds of goats genetically engineered to produce milk rich with spider-silk proteins that can be spun into fiber.

This is an interesting topic, DeathBringer. IMHO, It's the question of purpose for these experiments. As has been brought out, genetic research leading to medical advances makes sense to me. Grafting human limbs onto animals just to "see if we can" is wrong. [img]graemlins/crazyeyes.gif[/img] Three years ago, scientists successfully grafted a human arm to a goat's back. A reporter questioned the reasoning behind it, and was answered, "Science must move forward." [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] sometimes, science needs to stand still. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 07-08-2002, 10:38 AM: Message edited by: RudeDawg ]

[Leonis]

Can of Worms Deathbringer... Carefull with that axe Eugene,
that title may mean
a locking comes a knocking....

[Mouse]

I have changed the title of this thread to avoid any chance of misinterpretation.

It's an interesting and controversial subject. I hope it gets discussed with the seriousness it deserves.

[Leonis]

Very tough. Tell someone with Parkinsons you could cure their disease but aren't 'allowed'?
Who wants to make that call?

Screwing with nature vs saving lives...

If anyone has the 'right' answer I'd love to hear it. I believe it is just so difficult and grey. I think 'society' will decide the outcome though...
(Keeping in mind this is the same society that sanctions {insert vice} while prohibiting...{insert cause})

Originally posted by Mouse: I have changed the title of this thread to avoid any chance of misinterpretation. It's an interesting and controversial subject. I hope it gets discussed with the seriousness it deserves.

No prob, Mouse. I hope so to.

[ 07-08-2002, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Deathbringer ]