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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (7588)	3/6/2001 12:18:37 PM
From: cosmicforce	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

I recognize that this is a slippery slope, as are, IMO, all major issues (like abortion). One can't take an absolute position (even about taking or not taking absolute positions). For every species identified by an Act of Congress, I'm sure that there are dozens more that go by missed. In my town, the last lot along the railroad right of way (RR ROW) is being developed. The RR ROWs (and former RR ROWs) have become a de facto refuge for many native species. They are not subject to any restriction except on a case by case exception. The problem is that NO major drug discoveries have come out of a research vacuum. They all start with a biological precursor. This MAY change with modern genetics. This is an awesome amount of power that dwarfs atomic power. Being in charge of your own genome is pretty heavy stuff. We are clueless at handling a genome that has been around for 4 Billion Years, how are we going to handle one that has been around for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 years, etc. If we don't grow up and become more circumspect, stalling development once in a while, the pace of development will become overwhelming for us and the planet. This isn't fear mongering, it is simple extrapolation based upon extinction rates for the last 10, 20, 40 and 160 years. I use multiples of 2 because we are experiencing exponential changes in our world. You say things, perhaps only half seriously or to make a point, that leads me to believe that, on many issues, you believe in clear cut answers and are not adequately informed about the possible ramifications of what you propose. It SEEMS cavalier. However, since this could be a persona, like the one X generates, and maybe it is only for your amusement. I don't like extremism and perhaps you aren't as extreme as your rhetoric and boilerplate arguments would lead someone to believe. I can't believe we are separated by so many issues yet still are looking at the same set of facts. But it could be like the rift between me and religious zealots: I don't get where they are coming from and they don't get where I'm coming from. For this particular issue, I really don't want to be right and say "I told you so." That will not be "winning". I also have seen things progress just as I've expected for the past 20+ years. The rate has been consistent and isn't showing any major reversal.