Old Yeller is back

[patlajan]

Messing with the genome can have unforseen consequences. A life of one generation being a carbon copy of a life from a previous generation can cause who knows what. Not to mention that it takes away from the randomness of gene selection. Messing with evolution is a mistake.

[Anonymouse]

Whoever assumed evolution is true? Furthermore, you don't even know what will happen with the "who knows what" tidbit.

[loseyourname]

If we didn't mess with evolution, we wouldn't have domesticated livestock or pets to begin with. Do you suggest we also ban this?

[patlajan]

If we didn't mess with evolution, we wouldn't have domesticated livestock or pets to begin with. Do you suggest we also ban this?

This is nothing compared to what we're talking about. Even when you put two dogs, or horses, or whatever and they mate, there is still randomness in that outcome. And the next generation is never a copy of the last.

When it starts becoming acceptable with animals humans might follow.

[patlajan]

Whoever assumed evolution is true? Furthermore, you don't even know what will happen with the "who knows what" tidbit.

Exactly why it shouldn't be attempted. Just because scientist can combine genes around like a puzzle doesn't mean anyone can predict the toatity of their actions.

[Anonymouse]

I might like this thread. I'll wait for a few more posts to see how it develops.

[loseyourname]

Actually, it is not only possible, but many times it has actually happened that, through natural processes, a genetically diverse population can become less diverse over time. If you were to clone a genetically diverse population, you would end up with exactly the same amount of genetic diversity.

Furthermore, even when you clone something, there will still be mutations, both in the cloned stem cells and in subsequent transcriptions. You lose recombination, but again, if you had a healthy population to begin with, that won’t matter. You should really study some population genetics before you get all alarmed over nothing.

[loseyourname]

Besides, you really only have an argument if we stopped all natural breeding completely and cloned everything. It's hard to see that ever happening.

[patlajan]

Actually, it is not only possible, but many times it has actually happened that, through natural processes, a genetically diverse population can become less diverse over time. If you were to clone a genetically diverse population, you would end up with exactly the same amount of genetic diversity.

Furthermore, even when you clone something, there will still be mutations, both in the cloned stem cells and in subsequent transcriptions. You lose recombination, but again, if you had a healthy population to begin with, that won’t matter. You should really study some population genetics before you get all alarmed over nothing.

Having meber of one generation be a carbon copy of a previous generation is unaccpeptable. We're not talking about less diversity, I'm talking about carbon copies.

[Anonymouse]

Said who? And I am to guess you support a government ban on what the private sector does?