Re: Bioethicists Debate Post-humanity, Yale, June 27

From: Damien Broderick (damienb@unimelb.edu.au)
Date: Mon Jun 23 2003 - 16:05:15 MDT

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    >Professor Annas, a leading figure in American bioethics, counters that
    >"Uncontrolled use of the new genetic technologies risks setting us on a
    >dehumanizing road to genetic genocide.

    Fascinating! While that might be true in the limited sense that human
    cloning and some forms of allele selection or elimination would narrow
    genotype variety (by deleting genes conducing to cystic fibrosis, say, or
    severe mental retardation), the plain logical implication is that Professor
    Annas ought to *applaud and support* widespread optional use of the new
    genetic technologies to enhance humans in new and diverse ways, the
    opposite of genocide. (Don't hold your breath.)

    Damien Broderick



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