Bioengineering and evolution

[Shift]

Sounds really cool etc and hell it may be even there in my lifetime looking at how technology is rocketing nowadays, but messing with the fabric process of evolution sounds kinda tricky, and that road may lead somewhere VERRRRY bad.

 

[Mr Stabby]

We haven't stop mutating, but natural selection no longer applies to us, that's why some people used to believe eugenics would be a good idea.

 

[Cheomesh]

We haven't stop mutating, but natural selection no longer applies to us, that's why some people used to believe eugenics would be a good idea.

A number of people still do.

 

[Jintor]

I call first dibs on getting mechadendrites

Anyways, nobody here seems to realise that we stopped evolving a long time ago. Think about it - evolution depends on a good trait appearing, and people without that trait dying off or not reproducing as fast. Due to our grasp on science and stuff, people without the advantageous traits don't die. Therefore, no one mutation spreads to everyone.

-Angry Lawyer

Hey, I said that. :/

 

[Dan]

We haven't stop mutating, but natural selection no longer applies to us, that's why some people used to believe eugenics would be a good idea.

How can you say that natural selection no longer applies to us? It isn't the invisible hand of nature, it is just ****ing logic. That which is good at existing continues to exist, that which isn't good at surviving doesn't exist. Natural selection is simply basic common sense put into words.

 

[Stigmata]

Natural selection still applies to us, but we've managed to mostly negate its effect to fatal diseases and genetic disorders. Where cavemen might be killed by a predatory animal if their leg breaks while off hunting, we now just go to the hospital and get it put in a splint for six weeks.

 

[Pesmerga]

It is only natural to use technology to advance our well being and safety as a species. Bioengineering isn't witchcraft, it's utilizing what we know about science and biology to make natural advancements.

Everything is natural, there's nothing "not natural" about anything. If it wasn't natural, it wouldn't exist in nature. And nature is everything.





And nothing may or may not be something.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

How can you say that natural selection no longer applies to us? It isn't the invisible hand of nature, it is just ****ing logic. That which is good at existing continues to exist, that which isn't good at surviving doesn't exist. Natural selection is simply basic common sense put into words.

Because the human gene pool is so large, and we live in so many different enviroments, its very difficult to evovle together as a species when there are 6 billion + of us.

 

[Cheomesh]

Because the human gene pool is so large, and we live in so many different enviroments, its very difficult to evovle together as a species when there are 6 billion + of us.

Agreed. Look at H. S. Cromagnon compared to H. S. Sapiens.

 

[Angry Lawyer]

Hey, I said that. :/

It's MY thunder, now!

-Angry Lawyer

 

[Dan]

Because the human gene pool is so large, and we live in so many different enviroments, its very difficult to evovle together as a species when there are 6 billion + of us.

Except we are more interconnected than ever. There probably doesn't exist a single isolated gene pool anymore except maybe a few African bushmen tribes.

 

[15357]

Bioengineering should not be used, and any self-inflicted mutation on the part of humankind should not be tolerated.


Gattaka (sp?) anyone?

 

[Saturos]

Some people look at bimods like, "pimping my ride", in that case, that's their decision to make if they feel so inclined to do so. I personally would not be willing to risk the possible negative side effects.

 

[15357]

Until they decide to call themselces the "X-men" and try to take over the world.

 

[Eejit]

Except we are more interconnected than ever. There probably doesn't exist a single isolated gene pool anymore except maybe a few African bushmen tribes.

What selective pressure is there on us?

It's that simple.

 

[CyberPitz]

Science stopped us from evolving. It would only be right that science moves up the evolutionary chain!

 

[Saltpeter]

immortality isn't even all that great in the long run.

Quoted for truth.

People tend to forget that even though they could stop their body from aging, they can't stop their minds from undergoing the same thing. At some point in one's life, you will have seen it all, been everywhere and done everything or you reach a point you don't really care anymore. You'll be saturated.

The only way one is/should be able to reach immortality is through future remembrance of one's life, because in reality, mankind can't cope with true immortality.

Age is what gives life its beauty. Its balance. It's understandable some refuse to accept it, but in the end, death is just a part of living. In order to know life, you should know death.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

People tend to forget that even though they could stop their body from aging, they can't stop their minds from undergoing the same thing.

And how do you know that? We don't fully understand the human brain. Perhaps one day...
I'm not dissagreeing with you. Immortality would have its downsides. For example, if some accident after we all became immortal killed some family/friends, you have forever to live with that.
If offered the chance of immortality, I would only accept if A) Most of my friends and family were going for it and B) if you can still die, should you choose to.

 

[Vegeta897]

People tend to forget that even though they could stop their body from aging, they can't stop their minds from undergoing the same thing. At some point in one's life, you will have seen it all, been everywhere and done everything or you reach a point you don't really care anymore. You'll be saturated.

You underestimate how much there is to learn/do/experience/etc. There's so much that you wouldn't come close to being "saturated" before you started forgetting things. The human mind can't handle everything life has to offer.

 

[Stigmata]

Quoted for truth.

People tend to forget that even though they could stop their body from aging, they can't stop their minds from undergoing the same thing. At some point in one's life, you will have seen it all, been everywhere and done everything or you reach a point you don't really care anymore. You'll be saturated.

The only way one is/should be able to reach immortality is through future remembrance of one's life, because in reality, mankind can't cope with true immortality.

Age is what gives life its beauty. Its balance. It's understandable some refuse to accept it, but in the end, death is just a part of living. In order to know life, you should know death.

I'd much rather choose when I die of age rather than have death thrust upon me at some random time. "Shit, but there's all this stuff I didn't do!" vs. "Wow, a lot of that sucked but a lot of it was awesome, good show."

 

[Saltpeter]

You underestimate how much there is to learn/do/experience/etc. There's so much that you wouldn't come close to being "saturated" before you started forgetting things. The human mind can't handle everything life has to offer.

I think you've misunderstood what I was trying to say...and I don't really blame you since my post was wide open to misinterpretation

The saturation of the human mind rather means a decrease in curiosity rather than a factual saturation where there isn't anything left to learn. At some point, people think it's been enough, and just want to be. It's human.

Furthermore, Atomic Piggy raises another one of the primary concerns with so-called immortality. Eventually you'd outlive everyone close to you. Eventually there'd be nobody left from your own generation which you can identify with. No family. You'd be surrounded by billions of people and yet, still feel terribly lonely.

Thst put aside, I still feel immortality shouldn't be a concept made available to man. Yes, we don't like the truth that eventually we're all going to die, so we want to control it. But is your life really improving alot once you know you're not going to die?

To really grasp the value of your own life, you should first realize it's going to end sometime in the future. When? Nobody knows. So you better enjoy it while you can.

 

[Social Bacon]

Isn't evolution of the human mind natural? And thus, advancements in bioengineering are natural. So I say let's go the natural way and bioengineer ourselves.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

Saltpeter, don't mistake me. If my friends and family were immortal, I would go for it.

 

[Stigmata]

Isn't evolution of the human mind natural? And thus, advancements in bioengineering are natural. So I say let's go the natural way and bioengineer ourselves.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Cheomesh]

We're no where near mature enough to become immortal, neither as a race nor as individuals.

 

[-Psy-]

I want a retractable penis. That is all.

 

[Saltpeter]

Saltpeter, don't mistake me. If my friends and family were immortal, I would go for it.

Oh I understand where you're coming from, don't get me wrong. If the main expect of immortality would be that you would have your friends for ever and ever, then yes, you'd be a fool not to.

But as the main expect of immortality is simply the fact that you can't get killed, this will put everyone's lives in an immensely different perspective. We wouldn't care about any dangers, hazards or risks anymore. And without danger, would there still be security? I highly doubt it. Just think about the criminal possibilities it harnesses.

To bring this slightly back to topic, I personally think we should really watch out where we're going with gen tech. I'm all ears for the stem cell research since it can save lives otherwise lost, but to use the same genetic technologies to e.g. start making children to our own specifications is ethically wrong.

We should leave life's main aspects where they are, otherwise it would all become rather boring.

 

[Kula Meenur]

Definately bio engineering, why wait to die when you can live forever?

why do i smell a plot for 40k coming on???

 

[Cheomesh]

Definately bio engineering, why wait to die when you can live forever?

why do i smell a plot for 40k coming on???

Man that used to be the greatest Tabletop game ever.