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Depends. Do we know the ecosystem impact of corals that are more heat tolerant? Do we understand the evolutionary biological reasons why they aren't? Maybe it's
by simianparrot 2y ago
Depends. Do we know the ecosystem impact of corals that are more heat tolerant? Do we understand the evolutionary biological reasons why they aren't? Maybe it's not a problem, or maybe it is, like with so many other things we've messed with in the name of acceptable science (at the time) until we realize ecosystems are not that simple to model.
I'm not saying we shouldn't do research like this. But it is not an automatic good, and it must go hand in hand with proper biological field work looked at from an evolutionary lens. Or we risk making things worse with our good intentions.
- ASalazarMX 2y agoI'd prefer if we didn't tamper with ecosystems, but the reality is that our current civilization doesn't have the incentives to stop global warming (even less revert it) without major catastrophes that allow some politics and business leaders to appear as saviors instead of traitors. We don't know the future impact of these modified corals, but we know it will be catastrophic if they disappear. IMO it would be worse to let the corals simply die.