Re: >H Fleshsculpting

[Mark <zebra@alltel.net>]

Transhuman Mailing List

Nick Bostrom wrote:

> It seems to me morally wrong to have a child with Down's syndrom when
> you could easily have avoided it. So it might make sense to require
> all serious genetic diseases to be eliminated. These would perhaps be
> on the Required modifications list.

Mr. Bostrom,

I am very much in agreement that all serious genetic diseases should be
eliminated.  It is my understanding that current scientific data seems
to suggest that new genetic treatments to prevent disorders such as
Down' Syndrome will very soon be available.  If the ban on human cloning
is revoked, I believe, we as a global society will be able to collect
scientific data enabling us to eliminate cruel disorders like Down's
Syndrome even sooner.

 I agree that genetic disorders like Down's Syndrome should be placed on
a "Required modifications list."  Many groups in our global society will
want to make a distinction between new medical treatments based on
genetics and conventional medicine.  Placing new medical treatments
based on genetics in a classification or catagory separate from
conventional medicine will allow people to feel less guilty about
refusal of medical intervention.  I question the ethics of anyone who
would want to allow their child be born with a cruel disorder like Down'
s Syndrome, especially when medical treatments are available that can
prevent a disorder.

Disorder's, like Down's Syndrome, have been with us for so long that I
think we have learned to accept such disorders as a normal part of human
personality.  I think most people with Down's Syndrome recognize Down's
Syndrome as a cruel abnormal disability that they must learn to cope
with.  Of course, people with severe cases of Down's Sydrome may be bed
ridden.
______________________________________________________

Nick Bostrom wrote:

> There will be plenty of tricky cases. Intelligence augmentation
> should definitely not be prohibited. I would like to see it in the
> Required category. Imagine being the slowest learner in your class
> just because your religious parents refused, irreversibly, to give
> you intelligence-boosting genes. I would expect we will have to
> compromise here, though, with more conservative groups in society.

Mr. Bostrom,

I hope science, one day, will be able to help me in terms of intellect. 
I would love to be able to understand the natural laws and wonders of
our universe in the same way as the most brilliant scientist.  I have
seen books containing pages and pages of mathmatical theorems that I
will never be able to grasp.

It took me almost one year to read RELATIVITY: THE SPECIAL AND THE
GENERAL THEORY by Albert Einstein.  Albert Einstein wrote his book
RELATIVTITY for the average person, non-scientist.  I think Albert
Eintstein should be given credit for helping someone like me understand
a little more about physics.  Albert Einstein was so brilliant, he
probably wrote this book before he shaved one morning.
_______________________________________________________

> Anders Sandberg wrote:
> 
> > The question is how to discourage deformity while at the same time
> > promoting enhancing changes (some people argue that to prevent the
> > possibility of deforming children we must abstain altogether from
> > genetic modifications, something I think we transhumanists disagree
> > with). My answer would be that it is possible to set up flexible but
> > reasonable guidelines to guide modifications .   .    .

Mr. Bostrom and Mr. Sanberg,

Why is there so much discussion related to deformity on this mailing
list?  I do not think there are very many scientist working in
non-military laboratories located around the globe who are purposely
trying create deformities in humans.  Most of these scientist have
worked hard to earn their credentials and become respected in their
profession.  Most of these scientist are working to accomplish a greater
purpose and to help better humanity.

Mark
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