CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
1–10 of 122 posts
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#2ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#3ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
One particular species of mosquito, even.
The ongoing insect apocalypse is a problem, a potentially civilization-ending one. But wiping out malaria wouldn't be, and at this rate we'll probably do it by accident even if we don't implement this.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#4ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
If you've been personally affected by malaria your immediate impulse is do whatever it takes to stop it.
But we know nothing comes for free, no good human deed goes unpunished.
There's a lot of debate about whether destroying malaria-carrying mosquitoes would have any side effects whatsoever. Alternately, it may have some.
I don't think your characterization is fair, in other words. Those of us in areas not immediately affected are insulated against that emotional response, but we must be aware of the reality of malaria's toll. But destroying an entire species is a draconian approach that should require a great deal of thought.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#5ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
Why ITT since no one but you has commented yet.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#6Frightening question: what if this technology could be targeted not at species, but at races?
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#7ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
A single species of mosquito, that is domestic and invasive. And also carries a large variety of diseases, not just malaria.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#8ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
I don't live in a country ravaged by malaria and I want to get rid of mosquitoes.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#9ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
Classical ad hominem argument. Attack the people who make the immoral choice of thinking about the fact instead of blindly going forward and doing it, regardless of the cost. Perhaps it is worth to consider carefully before eradicating a species by any means?
And perhaps it is worth to consider using a domain of technology - biotechnology - we have yet to understand better? Every tool comes with it's price, and so does CRISPR/Cas9. Gene drives can override and change the hereditary mechanism which makes genes propagate in populations. There are possible second order effects in place, which would be very important to rule out before applying such a method in the wild.
Unless... unless, of course, we are happy with the import of rabbits et al to Australia.
Re: CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
#10ITT: people who live in countries that aren’t ravaged by malaria share their vague feelings of doubt about whether or not getting rid of mosquitos is a good idea
Actually, the previous time this was discussed on Hacker News, I saw a lot of posters with reasonable opinions.