svnt said:
Oh, and another thing. Anyone else think that maybe all this medicine and medical research and such is weakening the human race? Did nature really intend for us to live into our 80s and 90s on a regular basis?... Read More
I don`t believe genetic health problem will ever be a thing of the past. I mean how would you cure people with a genetic desiese? By direct injection of protein or by changing all the cells DNA, difficult. Or would we have people with genetic disorders not being born...I don`t think so.
Regarding post 1:
I think the real issue is the definition of evolution over natural selection. The initial post suggested that we are no longer subject to "natural" selection due to our own interference.
However, will we continue to evolve through a "normal" path for sentient beings? Do all sentient beings go through a destructive industrial phase, just as all teenagers go through a rebellious stage...or are we the "retards" of the galaxy?
Regarding post 2:
Both, I think.
I suspect medical science will eventually discover a way to interfere with existing genes (that research is already well under way with the treatments of MD, and MS) as well as society accepting the involvement of genetic engineering in natural birth (either pre-conception manipulation, or after using the above interference techniques on an embryo.)
And lets not discount nano-technology...although it looks like it is going to be the big loser in the next century. Too many other technologies are surpassing it.
Thanks for the heads up on the "English usage" group. I'll have to check it out...although, I was really just trying to point out that we all have our "dumbass" moments...
...that and be a provocative asshole. Yeah, that too :-)
Regarding post 1:
I think the real issue is the definition of evolution over natural selection. The initial post suggested that we are no longer subject to "natural" selection due to our own interference.
However, will we continue to evolve through a "normal" path for sentient beings? Do all sentient beings go through a destructive industrial phase, just as all teenagers go through a rebellious stage...or are we the "retards" of the galaxy?
Regarding post 2:
Both, I think.
I suspect medical science will eventually discover a way to interfere with existing genes (that research is already well under way with the treatments of MD, and MS) as well as society accepting the involvement of genetic engineering in natural birth (either pre-conception manipulation, or after using the above interference techniques on an embryo.)
And lets not discount nano-technology...although it looks like it is going to be the big loser in the next century. Too many other technologies are surpassing it.