"Dead Elves" raised a very interesting Q:
At one time or another, we´ll be able to radically alter our own genome, and become more than what we are... or simply different.
We might want to adapt to underwater conditions, or even to space (not to the lack of oxygen, surely).
Some might want to shed their organic body and download their personalities into a neural net, analogous memory bank.
Immortality itself might be closer than we think.
I know I´d take the plunge. Would you?
But then, what would the sacred texts all over the world jury-rig to fit the new biotechnological realities?
Could they hold to their followers?
Would the "augmented" humans decide to leave the superstitious Earth behind?
Would they create their own superstitious falvor after awhile?
Believers could certainly say that all this won´t happen, that it´s impossible, but then again they said that to Galileo and Darwin, too... right?
2007-08-25 21:25:05 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why the hell not?
I'd want some proof of safety and efficacy first but once that's out of the way why not be able to survive forever in zero g without any radiation shielding and a big solar flare?
2007-08-25 21:37:42 · answer #1 · answered by bestonnet_00 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Genetic engineering doesnt change a persons soul. We could have physically been a lot of different people had it been for a few second where a diff sperm entered the egg, but its the same soul. 2 twins have the exact same genetic code and most of the time the same upbringing, yet they still become different people. It isnt just about biology.
What scares me the most about genetic engineering is what happens to the people that the first experiments take place on. Manipulating genetics can have very very bad effects. They can also have some amazing consequences that could benefit humanity. Where do we draw lines? I dont see how or why the Bible would have to change. The doctrine was addressed to people of that time in a way for them to understand it. It is applicable to us, but we must remember in what context it was spoken and written and translated. If anything advances in technology can sometimes prove things that happened in the Bible to be possible. Look at the virgin birth. People in the past would never have imagined a virgin could have a baby. Now we know with artificial insemination and in vetro, it is very very possible for a virgin birth to occur.
Science and faith dont have to fear each other. We should fear how far some humans might take genetic manipulations and experimentations, however.
2007-08-25 21:40:31 · answer #2 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Though I am a transhumanist, and believe it a sort of duty of mine to work to bring about the singularity in a safe manner, it depends on the particular procedure and the cost/benefits of it. For example, though I have sub-average eyesight, I doubt I will ever go for LASIK, as the procedure essentially forever weakens the integrity of the surface of the eye, which isn't worth what increases in vision it would bring for me (I would however consider LASEK personally...).
Anyway, if nonbiological mediums for sentience are innovated, I'd have to say most superstitions must be left behind, as a supernatural soul is largely incompatible with these... But this may just be wishful thinking on my part.
2007-08-25 21:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by yelxeH 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Any and everything is possible. We hold the key to it all. The human is a very unique individual in the universe. We hold the key to fractal heart implosion. We hold the key to hyper-space travel within our heart implosion. We are the key to everything. Screw the lying sacred texts. We are the texts. We are the future. The universe and all within it wait for us to learn our true identities and abilities and to act accordingly.
2007-08-25 22:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would be one of the first volunteers to be altered and enhanced to increase my physically and mental abilities. Why? Frankly, I find my existence as it is to be very limited and somewhat tedious. I'm ready for a radical change.
2007-08-25 21:33:17 · answer #5 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i believe underwater world is more dangerous than outer space. i think it's interesting and i would be interested to try it (after they iron out the kinks)
2007-08-25 21:37:42 · answer #6 · answered by Pisces 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think there's more to you and me than our thoughts. We're tied to our flesh. You live in your heart and blood as much as you do your brain. You change the flesh, you might change you more than you'd like.
2007-08-25 21:32:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
death is another part of life.. i'd accept my life just as the natural world intended ..
i for one would not consider it
2007-08-25 21:31:06 · answer #8 · answered by greenman Nate 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋