Comments on: The history of the world and it’s likely future – in 713 words http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/ Fearlessly dispensing political, legal and economic analysis (and some whimsy) since 2002 Thu, 24 May 2012 12:13:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Greg http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-214094 Greg Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:11:08 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-214094 <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7132794.stm" rel="nofollow">On the other hand. . . .</a> On the other hand. . . .

]]> By: Fleeced http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-159098 Fleeced Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:53:55 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-159098 LOL... yes, biotech for kids probably not wise. Though the idea of designer pets is pretty interesting, and perhaps inevitable. LOL… yes, biotech for kids probably not wise.

Though the idea of designer pets is pretty interesting, and perhaps inevitable.

]]> By: Yobbo http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158763 Yobbo Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:12:01 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158763 If I had access to such a kit when I was a kid, I would created a Frankenplant that would eat my brother. So I don't think giving the tools of Genetic Manipulation to kids is such a great idea. If I had access to such a kit when I was a kid, I would created a Frankenplant that would eat my brother. So I don’t think giving the tools of Genetic Manipulation to kids is such a great idea.

]]> By: Nicholas Gruen http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158247 Nicholas Gruen Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:59:06 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158247 Yes, I had the same reaction to the bit about kids mucking around with biotech. Yes, I had the same reaction to the bit about kids mucking around with biotech.

]]> By: Enemy Combatant http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158216 Enemy Combatant Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:16:38 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158216 From Freeman Dyson: "Also, biotech games for children, played with real eggs and seeds rather than with images on a screen. Genetic engineering, once it gets into the hands of the general public, will give us an explosion of biodiversity." Creating the the Right Sort of "biodiversity explosion" could prove worrisome. Kids being kids 'n' all. "Genetic engineering is depicted as widespread in the civilized world of Oryx and Crake. Author Margaret Atwood(in 2003) describes many transgenic creatures such as Pigoons (though originally designed to be harvested for organs.... they become more intelligent and vicious, traveling in packs), Snats (snake-rat hybrids..), wolvogs (wolf-dog hybrids), and the relatively harmless "rakunks" (skunk-raccoon hybrids, originally designed as pets with no scent glands)." from Wiki. Wonder who'll be the first to G.E. a Crodent? From Freeman Dyson: “Also, biotech games for children, played with real eggs and seeds rather than with images on a screen. Genetic engineering, once it gets into the hands of the general public, will give us an explosion of biodiversity.”

Creating the the Right Sort of “biodiversity explosion” could prove worrisome. Kids being kids ‘n’ all.

“Genetic engineering is depicted as widespread in the civilized world of Oryx and Crake.
Author Margaret Atwood(in 2003) describes many transgenic creatures such as Pigoons (though originally designed to be harvested for organs…. they become more intelligent and vicious, traveling in packs), Snats (snake-rat hybrids..), wolvogs (wolf-dog hybrids), and the relatively harmless “rakunks” (skunk-raccoon hybrids, originally designed as pets with no scent glands).” from Wiki.

Wonder who’ll be the first to G.E. a Crodent?

]]> By: TJW http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158201 TJW Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:37:24 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158201 I agree with Link. My vision of a biotechnology dominated future involves more biological weapons and less 'create your own plant variety' kits. Another 'cultural evolution' article I read recently (and recommend) is the one by David Sloan Wilson in eSkeptic magazine (http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/07-07-04.html). I'm not sure how this material is regarded within the scientific community but it was an interesting read none-the-less. I agree with Link. My vision of a biotechnology dominated future involves more biological weapons and less ‘create your own plant variety’ kits.

Another ‘cultural evolution’ article I read recently (and recommend) is the one by David Sloan Wilson in eSkeptic magazine (http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/07-07-04.html). I’m not sure how this material is regarded within the scientific community but it was an interesting read none-the-less.

]]> By: Dave Bath http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158172 Dave Bath Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:09:39 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158172 Horizontal gene transfer already unites all life on the planet. Transfer of genes between species is quite common: viruses that "trap" genes from one species and insert them into another are well known. Also, there is interspecies gene transfer in our guts : bacteris swap genes with each other : a way antibiotic resistance can move cross-species. Personally, cutting and splicing genes was quite a buzz, even though it was only E.coli and I knew that all the life-forms I "created" were destined for the incinerator. But <a href="http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=348179" rel="nofollow">this story</a> from The Economist is a classic about literal gold fish by haemaurin replacing haemoglobin and the action of aurinase in the skin (2000-04-01). Horizontal gene transfer already unites all life on the planet.

Transfer of genes between species is quite common: viruses that “trap” genes from one species and insert them into another are well known. Also, there is interspecies gene transfer in our guts : bacteris swap genes with each other : a way antibiotic resistance can move cross-species.

Personally, cutting and splicing genes was quite a buzz, even though it was only E.coli and I knew that all the life-forms I “created” were destined for the incinerator.

But this story from The Economist is a classic about literal gold fish by haemaurin replacing haemoglobin and the action of aurinase in the skin (2000-04-01).

]]> By: Link http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158168 Link Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:06:13 +0000 http://clubtroppo.com.au/2007/07/28/the-history-of-the-world-and-its-likely-future-in-713-words/#comment-158168 Yes, indeed, very interesting. Especially: <i>"The epoch of species competition came to an end about 10,000 years ago when a single species, Homo sapiens, began to dominate and reorganize the biosphere. Since that time, cultural evolution has replaced biological evolution as the driving force of change. Cultural evolution is not Darwinian.</i> The domestication of biotechnology is however somewhat frightening. I think the author is altogether too optimistic about what we humans may 'create' and just exactly how and for what reasons the average joe will diversify our flora and fauna. Yes, indeed, very interesting. Especially:

“The epoch of species competition came to an end about 10,000 years ago when a single species, Homo sapiens, began to dominate and reorganize the biosphere. Since that time, cultural evolution has replaced biological evolution as the driving force of change. Cultural evolution is not Darwinian.

The domestication of biotechnology is however somewhat frightening. I think the author is altogether too optimistic about what we humans may ‘create’ and just exactly how and for what reasons the average joe will diversify our flora and fauna.

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