4 ms·
I think the far more concerning part is the quote at the end of the article (emphasis added): > These technologies will also help us to solve more proximate ch
by hnbad 4y ago
I think the far more concerning part is the quote at the end of the article (emphasis added):
> These technologies will also help us to solve more proximate challenges. We will learn to edit the genomes of species that are still alive but in danger of becoming extinct, to help them to adapt to their rapidly changing habitats.
Most species that are in danger of becoming extinct aren't so because of their "rapidly changing habitats" but because of man-made destruction of their habitats. Either directly (e.g. by burning down the rain forest to clear land for agriculture) or indirectly (climate change). Not to mention the various species affected by fishing, hunting and agriculture as collateral damage.
I'm not sure how DNA manipulation is supposed to help with any of this. The closest thing I can think of is "Roundup™ resistant bees" and I shudder at the thought. This feels like it has less potential in preservation and more in creating various GMO livestock.
- feanaro 4y ago> I'm not sure how DNA manipulation is supposed to help with any of this. Killer dodo birds, here we come.
- mjevans 4y agoGoose game was a warning!
- Veen 4y agoIt might be useful to genetically engineer hornier Giant Pandas.
- edgyquant 4y ago“Man made destruction” is the same thing as “rapidly changing habitat”
- hnbad 4y agoYeah but how do you engineer animals to withstand destruction of their habitat by humans? I presume making them capable of hunting and killing humans to protect their habitat is off the table.
- dividedbyzero 4y agoAs global human populations appear to be en route to a steep decline by the end of the century, using genetic engineering to get keystone species through until conditions hopefully improve might go a long way to prevent some of the direst consequences of the destruction we cause. Also, it would be immensely useful if we had this tech to help already severely reduced populations bounce back without too much damage from too little genetic diversity.