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Baby_Hitler
Errorist



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Genetic modification of endangered species
#8343361 - 04/29/08 07:40 PM (16 years, 23 days ago) |
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As humans' impact on the various ecosystems continues to escalate exponentially, how do you feel about the idea of using genetic engineering to help endangered species adapt to their changing environment?
What species could benefit from genetic modification? What traits should we modify and how?
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DieCommie


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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#8343771 - 04/29/08 09:10 PM (16 years, 23 days ago) |
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Im not against genetic modification. Humans are decreasing bio diversity, genetic modification may be a way to increase bio diversity. Humans, and all animals influence each other's DNA in an intimate way. Genetic modification is just another manifestation of that. One that has (presumably) yet to exist on this planet. But, nonetheless, the ability to perform genetic modification is a trait that old fashioned mother nature and natural selection endowed us with, so to claim that it is unnatural or not a part of normal evolution would be foolhardy.
Despite that Im skeptical as to how well genetic modification would actually help species survive. You say "help endangered species adapt to their changing environment?", but often times its a destruction of environment not a changing that dooms the species.
When the changing environment changes to human control, the best advantage a species can have is usefullness to humans. Thats why you dont see any domesticated plants or animals on the endangered species list.
Maybe we can engineer species to live off of our pollution, or cause trees to suck down more CO2 and grow super fast. That would be cool
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Baby_Hitler
Errorist



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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: DieCommie]
#8344389 - 04/29/08 11:09 PM (16 years, 23 days ago) |
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How about miniaturization? Who wouldn't want a cute li'l pygmy polar bear?
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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet


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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#8345501 - 04/30/08 09:42 AM (16 years, 22 days ago) |
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Quote:
Who wouldn't want a cute li'l pygmy polar bear?
The polar bear?
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Fnord
TWISTER FORMONEY, TWISTERFOR BLOOD!


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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Asante]
#8345519 - 04/30/08 09:48 AM (16 years, 22 days ago) |
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Ive been wondering something along the same lines,homeboy has been looking into inducing ploidy in there loph's and salvia's.
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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet


Registered: 02/06/02
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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Fnord]
#8345573 - 04/30/08 10:12 AM (16 years, 22 days ago) |
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Restoring the fertility of Salvia Divinorum in my view would be a legitimate use of GM in protection of endangered species.
Salvia divinorum is severely genetically empoverished because of its very high rate of infertility of its seeds.
Biologists must systematically search Oaxaca to collect genetically diverse specimens (taking a mere leaf is enough) these specimens should have their fertility restored, and be interbred, and Salvia divinorum should become a seed-bearing plant again.
To protect the wild plants of the endangered species, the GM plants should be made tetraploid or preferably hexaploid to ensure their pollen does not interact with that of wild Salvia.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#8345637 - 04/30/08 10:35 AM (16 years, 22 days ago) |
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> What species could benefit from genetic modification?
None. Let whatever species (including humans) die out and Mother Nature can take care of the rest.
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LuNaTiX
Quarterback




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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#8353888 - 05/02/08 01:44 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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I think humans should be modified, Our conscience should be able to handle much more info then it does now. Our minds should become more efficient, memory increased, motor skills improved, increased vision, increased smell, and our metabolism should be something that can be turned on and off with our mind based on how much food we have at our disposal (we can do this now, somewhat), also, the human body should be genetically altered so that the body is fully mature by the age of maybe 3 or so (intelligence and maturity would need to be increased along with the quick ageing process), and maybe have a digestive system that creates very little waste. Oh yeah, we need a system that can go on to live 100-500 years before dying of old age, I think this could be done with organs that repair and regenerate themselves.
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Baby_Hitler
Errorist



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Re: Genetic modification of endangered species [Re: LuNaTiX]
#8374976 - 05/07/08 09:05 PM (16 years, 15 days ago) |
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It wouldn't be too hard to genetically engineer a human that was above average intelligence and exceptionally healthy. We could also make them miniature so they consume less space and resources.
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