Breeding animals for traits

[Calandale]

Is this a good or bad idea?
We have done this throughout
history, trying to stamp our own
will upon nature (plants too).

Why do we recoil from the idea
in humans, yet have no problem
with the mutant abominations
that are milk cows?

[ALLDAYGLOWRANDY]

If it is bothersome to the animal, its selfish.  Its the lowest form of selfish, when you can do better, and you put others out.

Lop earred bunnies don't hear as well

[Parts]

because milk and ice cream are just too good to pass up

We do it with humans too but on a subconscious level in our selection of a mate by desirable traits.  I believe genetic engineering is destined to change us forever in the future it's unavoidable.  Somebody will start and the rest will follow as not to lose advantage and be left behind.  I am not completely against it either  it's the future of our evolution but if we are not careful it could be the end.  Either way it is coming

[Calandale]

Obviously natural sexual selection is a completely
different issue though.

But, people get their panties in a twist about GM food,
when we've been doing this all along.

[Parts]

It's just we are doing it faster now and that worries many people but it is the future as much as our merging with machine it has begun and it's very hard to go back now

[Calandale]

Yeah. It's not like we don't fuck it all
up by bringing alien crops into places, anyhow.

[Parts]

It's the way it's always been and will always be

[Pyraxis]

I think modifying humans is inevitable. I'm not sure I have a problem with it. I don't like the idea of good traits being bred out because they don't fit a fad, but I think evolution will sort things out.

[Calandale]

I think modifying humans is inevitable. I'm not sure I have a problem with it. I don't like the idea of good traits being bred out because they don't fit a fad, but I think evolution will sort things out.

Just how much though?
I mean, clearly trying to breed out
diseases is one thing, but what about
modifying for special purposes - like
adding gills?

Essentially, making castes.

[Pyraxis]

I don't think humans' inclination to develop castes will change. It's unlikely we would breed to increase it. So I don't see why we would have any more castes after genetic manipulation than before it.

While I think castes are a bad idea, a caste based on gills or some other genetic modification isn't any different to me than a caste based on heritage, skin color, or any of the other excuses people use today.

[Calandale]

Actually, it makes terrible sense. To breed people
into particular positions. I know that my family's stock
is significantly different from the villagers of the same
area.

[richard]

i wouldnt do it

[Pyraxis]

Actually, it makes terrible sense. To breed people
into particular positions.

Point. If it was done well (in terms of practical survival) then it would last.

I don't like where that leads. There could be some dangerous times if the idea of filling the role you were born into was taken to the point of breeding out chaos/rebelliousness. I think the system would eventually stabilize back into something more similar to what we know now, but a lot of damage would be done.

[Calandale]

There could be some dangerous times if the idea of filling the role you were born into was taken to the point of breeding out chaos/rebelliousness.

Don't you think that's largely the case,
anyhow? Look at China.

[Pyraxis]

How effective do you think they are? What concerns me is if the breeding for roles created a more functional society than ours.