A hundred years ago, nature had a way of dealing with overpopulation and weak genes - famine, pestilence and disease (so-called Malthusian principles). Now we strive to keep old people alive for longer, and prevent famine. Does nature know best? Perhaps we are storing up problems for humankind by creating an old and weak population. What do you think?
2006-10-04 04:52:25 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
in a way you are right.
but think of this:
all the things you just described, make us the way we are. it was our caring for old people instead of letting them die, that allowed us to store valuable experiences for later use, and it was our desire to store food and stock for bad times that made us form our modern society.
it is what humans do, and what distinguishes us from the rest. if we didnt have these instincts, we wouldnt be here.
would that be better? well... that depends on your point of view of course... i for one am glad my species made it to the point of producing its crowning achievement, ME ;)
2006-10-04 05:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by wolschou 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a question of ethical problems. Yes we want our families and friends to be around for as long as possible (even if it means they're in pain) and famine is normally caused by a lack of education and overpopulation.
We need an equilibrium here. Just because we *can* use medical science to extend lifespans that would otherwise have been cut short a generation ago, doesn't always mean we should. And as for overpopulation in the third world, education on contraception should be the West's responsibility to educate. But we won't, for reasons of our own.
Survival of the fittest works perfectly well in the animal kingdom, but us, being humans, will always attach sentiment to the situation and strive for the best outcome.
2006-10-04 04:59:10 · answer #2 · answered by nert 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe all good things come from God. But some things should not be meddled with, for instance, it is great all the work they are doing to find a cure for cancer, I hope they do, but I don't like the "genetic" things they do to do with embryo's, designer babies with no diseases etc. I feel that is messing with nature as life is very mysterious and goodness knows what problems that may cause!
Also look as things like MRSA, caused by humans making anti-biotics which worked fine for a long time only for superbugs to crop up eventually. What else might happen, it's a scary thought.
2006-10-04 05:10:45 · answer #3 · answered by Helen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think mankind's interference has caused all manner of problems already. Especially in terms of overpopulation. Nature should be allowed to take it's course - especially in people over 80. I'm all for non intervention in crises of people over 80, which is why I didn't call an ambulance when my gran accidentally severed her carotid artery, but you try explaining that to the authorities.
2006-10-04 05:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by Phlodgeybodge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nature should indeed be allowed to take it's course, because no matter how much we try can't succesfully stop nature from taking its course.
If any achievement we make works contrary to nature and the laws of nature, it's bound to be catastrophic.Any discovery or innovation that upsets the balance of nature will be counterp productive at the end if there is no parallel discovery to compensate the balance.
2006-10-04 05:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by Davidkay! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think our attempts at preserving life is weakening the population as a whole. It is not natural, or justified. I think when this earth decides we need thinned out, our attempts at preserving life will be feeble. No matter how proud we are of our advances, nature is always proving to be far greater of a force.
2006-10-04 05:03:45 · answer #6 · answered by Tuan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe nature has already sidestepped our efforts, aids, bird flu, sars and I believe we will see other diseases that will thin the herd so to speak. I also feel that homosexuality is natures way of stopping overpopulation a sort of evolution
2006-10-04 05:00:39 · answer #7 · answered by Bassetlover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not so much of the old and weak!
My mother is approaching her mid eighties and she can out-walk me going up Steep Hill in Lincoln any day!
But yes, basically nature does know best. She is living proof of it!
2006-10-04 05:01:13 · answer #8 · answered by Christine H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nature has wiped out many populations with volcanoes and Earthquakes. It wiped out the whole dinosaur population. Does it really know best?
2006-10-04 05:23:48 · answer #9 · answered by Princess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is now to late for nature as human society has overrun her
and juggled with all things that may have an impact on her. All we can do now is wait for the big red fire that was predicted all those years ago... goodbye....
2006-10-04 05:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by bcliff13 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋