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S. T. Lehane
Master Mason
Posts: 1568
Registered: Oct 2006 |
 Posted May 21st, 2010 01:46 PM IP   
So you've probably all seen the headlines about this new man-made bacteria.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...XUIIjAD9FRB9480
What exactly are the moral implications of creating new life forms? Or is it morally neutral like atomic energy, which can be used for good or bad, depending on your inclination?
Fraternally!
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russellholland
Master Mason
Posts: 996
Registered: Feb 2005 |
Posted May 21st, 2010 07:11 PM IP
I wonder if creating a new life form is much different from introducing a species to a land mass that has never had it.
For example the introduction of possums and ferrets to New Zealand continues to keep bird levels to about 10% of the normal level - as demonstrated by removing possums from some of the small islands.
Russell Holland
Caboolture 266
UGLQ
Australia
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S. T. Lehane
Master Mason
Posts: 1568
Registered: Oct 2006 |
Posted May 21st, 2010 07:58 PM IP
With out new-found powers, I reckon we could do worse than possums and ferrets combined.
Fraternally!
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skiendhu
Super Moderator
Posts: 2627
Registered: Dec 2004 |
Posted May 21st, 2010 09:07 PM IP
Quote:
S. T. Lehane wrote:
With out new-found powers, I reckon we could do worse than possums and ferrets combined.
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I guess it could be a matter of control and who is doing the controlling. Then again, it could turn out to be something that is completely harmless.
I personally leave all the pre-judging to Nancy Grace. 
Practical experience is the best teacher
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Hypnic Jerk
Entered Apprentice
Posts: 39
Registered: Mar 2010 |
Posted May 21st, 2010 10:46 PM IP
The more powerful we become, the more important it is that we use our tools wisely! It makes me think of the Frankenstein myth, or the Tempest -- be wise, lest our creations destroy us!
A hypnic jerk is an involuntary, sometimes violent twitch to a waking state while asleep
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canuck
Mastermason
Posts: 293
Registered: Dec 2009 |
Posted May 22nd, 2010 02:11 AM IP
This dilemma has been around for ages. Every time a new weapon was introduced, people were afraid that the end of the world will come. Every time a new invention changed the way we understand things (like Newton's discoveries, or Copernicus'), the same story repeats.
Scientists have shown us that it is possible to do this. It means that even if the "legal" world tries to shut it down, the illegal world will make it happen, one way or another, maybe it will take them 5-10 years, but they will make it happen. Not because they've seen "the good guys" do it, but simply because that is the path in which science is developing.
So... my opinion is that we should do our best to keep this discoveries on the right track and keep their usage for the advancement of humanity... the rest - is in the hands of the Architect.
www.victorialodge.ca
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A.T.Smith
Master Mason
Posts: 1739
Registered: Jul 2006 |
Posted May 24th, 2010 10:46 AM IP
Quote:
canuck wrote:
do our best to keep this discoveries on the right track and keep their usage for the advancement of humanity... the rest - is in the hands of the Architect.
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Hear, Hear!
Under the Shadow of Thy Wings
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fellotraid32784nFL
Unregistered
Posts:
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Posted October 20th, 2010 07:10 AM IP
I have to agree with skindude. There is a fine balance of creating within moral boundaries. In my personal opinion leave the cloning, stem cells, and other things that may jeopardize our need for a Higher being.
I feel that these scientists that remove parts of the human anatomy and try to grow artificial parts is the same as separating humanity from their souls. Discovery is wondrous and can be beneficial to human existence, however some stones are better left unturned.
Some of our medicinal practices now are morally questionable as of centuries ago. Maybe we are just making a bad situation worse.
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Freemason Discussion Group :: Freemasonry :: Philosophical Discussion :: Synthetic Life Forms |
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