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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Johannes Pilch who wrote (544992)	2/24/2004 9:39:09 PM
From: PROLIFE	Respond to of 769667

Me thinks you are wasting your good posts on Ms. Sheepy.

To: Johannes Pilch who wrote (544992)	2/24/2004 9:47:58 PM
From: Orcastraiter	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

I am saying that sexual identity is a thing, a mathematical quantity etched in DNA. In all human cases, that quantity is hetero, not homo. The behavior that is most in accord with that identity is hetero behavior, not homo. This is obviously a lie. If it were true there would be no homos, like Dick Cheney's daughter Mary. Orca

To: Johannes Pilch who wrote (544992)	2/24/2004 10:37:17 PM
From: Srexley	Respond to of 769667

"You may, nevertheless, wish to run out on all fours, piss on a fire hydrant, eat some feces, hump a leg, bark and generally behave as a dog" Sounds like you know JF. ggg. Couldn't help myself.

To: Johannes Pilch who wrote (544992)	2/24/2004 10:43:10 PM
From: Kevin Rose	Respond to of 769667

Hmm, I'm not sure moving the argument into the area of science and mathematics helps prove your case. It is still a very muddled area. In both mathematics and computer science, advances are moving into the area of 'data driven machines'. Simply put, these are models and programs which have a basic structure and purpose, but operate differently depending on a set of input data. They are not as rigid as 'traditional' programs, but can be adapted for different uses with different sets of data. For example, instead of coding a spreadsheet program, you could have a more generic program that could be fed data to perform as a spreadsheet, or a calculator, or a word processor. The behavior of the program is encapsulated in both the programs permanent structure and in the input data. The body may work like a data driven program. Cells and their structure provide the program, and the DNA provides the input data, in the form of both 'blueprints' and 'programming'. As such, variations in the input data can cause different outputs (i.e. form, capabilities, and behavior) in the resulting person. Currently, research is identifying portions of DNA that may be linked to many different forms, capabilities, and behaviors in animals. Susceptability to certain diseases. Physical attributes. And even behaviors, such as a tendency to alcoholism (it has been long recognized that certain 'blood lines' have more incidents of alcoholism). I believe that researchers are investigating many behavior tendencies in humans that were previously thought to be driven entirely by environment, that they believe now may be partially or totally driven by DNA. Such as homosexuality. Interesting medical and ethical questions emerge. If it were possible to generically alter someone's DNA to remove, say, a tendency to develop breast cancer, should we? If so, what about possible behavioral tendencies? Alcoholism? Mental illness? Even homosexuality? If not, and there is a 'homosexuality tendency' in DNA, would that alter the current debate on homosexuality. Should someone who has it be forgiven their 'deviation' and allowed to live their 'nature'? Or, is it simply God's additional challenge for that person?