DNA, Cloning, Genetic engineering... Going too far?

[X=-FakeBoy-=X]

If this worked, and they were able to clone a dinosuar, and realized that thier theory of how they behaved and what they looked like was wrong. I would absolutely drop dead laughing. I find this highly interesting, and I would really like to check out an exhibition w/ species that died off from extiction.

[allenb1963]

You could increase my IQ by a factor of 100,000 and I still don't think I would be intelligent enough to 'play God'.

[bpx]

Personally I like the idea. Why not bring them back, I'd like to see one sometime in my life.

[Joey_Batch_File]

As much as it has got to be an unmoral thing to do, I really like the idea of re-creation. However, can you just image if something like Jurassic Park did occur. I just hope while they are at it they modify the clones to be mini dinos. I would like a 5" T-Rex.

[a)sna]

First of all, to refute some of the arguments given:

nine times out of ten there is a reason for the things that nature does

The first rule of evolution is that nature is not deterministic. It does not have a reason for doing things, it does not go out and decide a result then work its way towards the goal. It does not know anything, and does not want anything, it just is.

what sort of genetic diseases do these things carry

Um, last time i checked, genetic diseases are passed on through reproduction from parents to children. (eg/ hemophilia) Im not sure what you plan to do with these wooly mamoths , but im sure the scientists will be more *ahem* professional.

why not revive some dinosaur later on while they're at it?

Well, wooly mammoths died of ~18 000 years ago with the last ice age (not sure the exact date, but this is close enough) whereas dinosaurs died of 65 million years ago. Simple math says this is a difference of 64 982 000 years, not exactly in the same ballpark.

I agree fully with Rev Jazzman about science needing to make mistakes in order to learn from them (not that this will necessarily be a mistake!) and without human curiosity to push thre frontiers of what is accepted, we would be living in on a flat world consisting solely of Europe where the sun revolves around us, the chosen beings.

[cwk9]

when did the scientists decide it was okay to "play God"

Seriously someone tell me what’s wrong with playing god? The phrase implies that the scientists are supposed to leave the world as god intended, but for all we know god intended us to clone stuff. As for the scientist the selves I bet they came to the conclusion that playing god is cool around the same time they were burning ants with a magnifying glass.

what sort of genetic diseases do these things carry

1. If you clone an animal with some bad genes the clone will have those same bad genes. The out come may be different because of environment but the genes will be the same.

[Rev Jazzman]

I'm not sure where I heard this, but here's a joke that introduces a thought or two...

There was a team of genetic engineers who decided to compete with God by recreating man. Amused by their idea, God decided He would take on the challange. The team of genetic engineers went to their labs, and God stepped aside to watch... As the team began to gather dust from which they were to create man, God stepped in and said, "Ah-ah-ah! Get your own dust!"

The term "playing God" was properly addressed by cwk9's implementation of burning ants with a magnifying glass (bravo!).

Hitler "played God" by killing Jews. Early settlers of America "played God" by driving the Indians into poverty-stricken "reservations." /bin/lady "played God" by having planes crash into various buildings. On the other hand, .gov "plays God" by declaring whether one is "innocent" or "guilty."

The thought of "playing God" in many instances seems rather foolish to me (but call me a skeptic as you ponder why my handle is "Rev. Jazzman." )

No one can "play God." That's ridiculous. In my mind, "we live and learn" and that is "God's way." In my mind, we still have to answer to Him, regardless of what .gov thinks of us, and that's "God's way." In my mind, I seem to remember scripture "sightings" that go along the lines of:

"And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. " -- Gen. 1:26

"And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all the moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. " -- Gen. 9:2

"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; and has put all things under his feet: " -- Ps. 8:6

"Playing God" has nothing to do with genetic engineering simply because God gave man dominion over creation. To say, "No! You can't do that!" would be closer to "playing God" than accepting that dominion.

Guess what... That is God's way...

My request is simple... If you're going to bring "Playing God" into the picture, at least roll the credits in the right direction... It makes for easier reading that way.

Long thought made short... As long as we're still using what God gave (and intended for) us to use, then wer're not "playing God..."

If the thought of playing God still bothers you, then check the parable of the talents (Mat. 25:14-30) to see whether it is best to bury what He's given us in the dirt or whether we should invest (use) it.

Best,

Rev