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Perfect candidate for genetic control via CRISPR if viable. Could you imagine what our ancestors would say if they knew we had the technology to successfully k
by honkycat 8y ago
Perfect candidate for genetic control via CRISPR if viable.
Could you imagine what our ancestors would say if they knew we had the technology to successfully kill a pestilence? It would seem like complete madness. They would think us insane for not using it.
- 0x8BADF00D 8y agoI was thinking the same thing. It might be prudent to run a simulation to model its impact on an environment. And then Check impact on different environment types (i.e. desert, tundra, etc)
- mikestew 8y agoReplace your first sentence with "nuclear bomb" and the second paragraph (with a looser definition of "pestilence") would be almost as valid. Because our hypothetical ancestors have not been fully informed of the down-side. Now, I don't know that there is a downside to genetic modification, but history is littered with unintended consequences.
- honkycat 8y agoIn my brain, the sterile mosquito did not spread and kill the entire world's mosquito population, so I'm unsure why that would happen with the Lanternfly population. And I'm unconvinced the "kill 'em all!" approach to dousing everything in insecticide is that much better. But, it's obviously a very dangerous and powerful tool that should be thoroughly considered. After watching the emerald ash borer devastate my home state I am a but bullish on killing off invasive species.