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I would say these so-called "ethical questions" are always a red herring (not because they're unimportant, but rather because we don't have a reliable authority

by nsns 11y ago

I would say these so-called "ethical questions" are always a red herring (not because they're unimportant, but rather because we don't have a reliable authority to handle them); the real problems that should really be explored beforehand are matters of jurisprudence (e.g. commercial control vs. state control and its implications) and potential weaponization.

realusername 11y ago
And also to define guidelines on what to do if shit hits the fan. As an example (nothing related to DNA modification but anyway), I have a few neighbours who planted balsamine plants (I guess it's this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera) because it's a bee friendly plant. The problem is it's an invasive plant, it's now absolutely everywhere and spread kilometres away from the original point. I don't mind because it's harmless and the pink flowers are quite beautiful but it's an example of the kind of unforeseen consequences that can happen.
- hga 11y ago
  When you're making just a few changes to an organism it's a lot easier to predict and test the outcome, vs. inserting a complete batch of genes in the form of a new to the ecosystem plant like the balsamine you mention. That Wikipedia article details a bunch of ways in which balsamine can out compete local plants and do other undesirable things like encourage erosion by dying each season. In either case a degree of caution is warranted. Which scientists did for genetic engineering, during a period when I was preparing to join them (actually did some E. Coli genetic work in the summer of 1977 in a NSF Summer Science Training Program between my high school sophomore and junior years): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilomar_Conference_on_Recombinant_DNA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilomar_Conference_on_Recombi... The restrictions resulting from the conference were relaxed over time as appropriate as we gained the relevant knowledge, especially the way in which genes naturally jump around all the time between species. I.e. nature has already tried out a lot of stuff we might want to try, given zillions of organisms and years.

by nsns 11y ago

realusername 11y ago

And also to define guidelines on what to do if shit hits the fan. As an example (nothing related to DNA modification but anyway), I have a few neighbours who planted balsamine plants (I guess it's this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera) because it's a bee friendly plant. The problem is it's an invasive plant, it's now absolutely everywhere and spread kilometres away from the original point. I don't mind because it's harmless and the pink flowers are quite beautiful but it's an example of the kind of unforeseen consequences that can happen.

hga 11y ago
When you're making just a few changes to an organism it's a lot easier to predict and test the outcome, vs. inserting a complete batch of genes in the form of a new to the ecosystem plant like the balsamine you mention. That Wikipedia article details a bunch of ways in which balsamine can out compete local plants and do other undesirable things like encourage erosion by dying each season. In either case a degree of caution is warranted. Which scientists did for genetic engineering, during a period when I was preparing to join them (actually did some E. Coli genetic work in the summer of 1977 in a NSF Summer Science Training Program between my high school sophomore and junior years): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilomar_Conference_on_Recombinant_DNA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilomar_Conference_on_Recombi... The restrictions resulting from the conference were relaxed over time as appropriate as we gained the relevant knowledge, especially the way in which genes naturally jump around all the time between species. I.e. nature has already tried out a lot of stuff we might want to try, given zillions of organisms and years.