Re: (Fwd) Re: guidelines/ethics

Eugene Leitl (Eugene.Leitl@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)
Tue, 17 Dec 1996 06:50:01 +0100 (MET)


On Sun, 15 Dec 1996, Kathryn Aegis wrote:
> [...]
>
> Yes, of course there are physical differences between men and women,
> it would be silly to claim otherwise. However, there exist

Physical differences exist, but they are almost trivial.

> individuals possessing physical characteristics of both genders,
> calling into question the significance of these differences. There is

I don't quite get your meaning... A few pathological cases prove that
gender differences are of no statistical relevance?

> also some compelling brain research to the effect that there are
> some differences in the way each gender processes information, but no

_These_ differences are the key, not some stupid body morphology. Sexual
differentiation is an effect of a MYr long specialization. We know that
the fitness function will change dramatically quite soon, but we aren't
there yet.

Until we can do sophisticated self-engineering, we are stuck with the
gender differences, I am afraid. Anectodal evidence does not support the
claim that gender differences are negligeable, I am afraid.

> one has yet made a compelling case that these are significant enough
> to form a basis for gender roles.
> [...]

ciao,
'gene