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I've never understood this argument. We have been "playing god" since we settled down 10,000 years ago and started practicing agriculture. The ways in which we

I've never understood this argument. We have been "playing god" since we settled down 10,000 years ago and started practicing agriculture. The ways in which we selectively cultivate/breed plants/animals have do doubt caused major changes in ecosystems. Yet, if we had not done those things, we probably would not be here today. Furthermore, where do you draw the line? We are very close to eradicating the polio virus. Do we know ALL the consequences of doing so? No. Does that mean we should stop? No. We have, at some point, decided that it causes an immense amount of human suffering and decided to eradicate it. Same with certain species of mosquitoes.

seanwilson 10y ago
> Furthermore, where do you draw the line? We are very close to eradicating the polio virus. Do we know ALL the consequences of doing so? No. Does that mean we should stop? No. We have, at some point, decided that it causes an immense amount of human suffering and decided to eradicate it. Same with certain species of mosquitoes. It reminds me of the Trolley Problem with the exception that you can't be completely sure what the lever does: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem Basically, the easy option is to do nothing, avoid responsibility and potentially have the worst outcome happen that you could have prevented.
- dmreedy 10y ago
  or, more colloquially, "the devil you know"
Chathamization 10y ago
> I've never understood this argument. We have been "playing god" since we settled down 10,000 years ago and started practicing agriculture. Yes, and as the above poster stated, often with unintended consequences - many of which have been disasterous. Even after thousands of years of agriculture we've still made monumental mistakes, such as the creation of the Dust Bowl. For an example involving pest elimination specifically, you can look at the Chinese effort to eradicate sparrows. That doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't try to eradicate the mosquitoes that are harmful to humans. However, when people are unable to appreciate the problems that unintended consequences have had in the past, and the risks they may pose for the future, it doesn't seem like we're making the decision based on an honest and sober look at the facts.
danielrhodes 10y ago
Viruses are not exactly living organisms, so the comparisons you make are not apt. There's a huge difference between any virus and an organism which plays a role in a super complex ecosystem (and our food chain) we don't entirely understand. Likewise, there is a difference between playing god in a self-contained environment like a farm, but which is not the case with the wider environment. Yes, humans have driven many species to extinction but I think in retrospect this would have been inadvisable.

seanwilson 10y ago

> Furthermore, where do you draw the line? We are very close to eradicating the polio virus. Do we know ALL the consequences of doing so? No. Does that mean we should stop? No. We have, at some point, decided that it causes an immense amount of human suffering and decided to eradicate it. Same with certain species of mosquitoes. It reminds me of the Trolley Problem with the exception that you can't be completely sure what the lever does: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem Basically, the easy option is to do nothing, avoid responsibility and potentially have the worst outcome happen that you could have prevented.

dmreedy 10y ago
or, more colloquially, "the devil you know"

Chathamization 10y ago

> I've never understood this argument. We have been "playing god" since we settled down 10,000 years ago and started practicing agriculture. Yes, and as the above poster stated, often with unintended consequences - many of which have been disasterous. Even after thousands of years of agriculture we've still made monumental mistakes, such as the creation of the Dust Bowl. For an example involving pest elimination specifically, you can look at the Chinese effort to eradicate sparrows. That doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't try to eradicate the mosquitoes that are harmful to humans. However, when people are unable to appreciate the problems that unintended consequences have had in the past, and the risks they may pose for the future, it doesn't seem like we're making the decision based on an honest and sober look at the facts.

danielrhodes 10y ago

Viruses are not exactly living organisms, so the comparisons you make are not apt. There's a huge difference between any virus and an organism which plays a role in a super complex ecosystem (and our food chain) we don't entirely understand. Likewise, there is a difference between playing god in a self-contained environment like a farm, but which is not the case with the wider environment. Yes, humans have driven many species to extinction but I think in retrospect this would have been inadvisable.