Dear Editor,
Mr. Paul Kokoski’s letter captioned “the proper use of genetic science requires moral reflection” (08.02.07) should not condemn outright the new techniques of genetic science that can possibly improve the quality of human life. If I were to ever suffer an incurable disease, I would certainly want all that genetic science has to offer to maintain my quality of life. I want to live for as long as possible with all my senses fully intact. There is so much to discover in this brief candle-like life. Of course, there ought to be strict laws and regulations governing the use of genetic improvement techniques. Governments across the world have to sit down and thrash out appropriate genetic improvement legislation. But they cannot allow themselves to be guided by the mores of ancient people who lived thousands of years ago with no knowledge of the advanced technology available today.
Mr. Kokoski also seems to be against the use of in vitro fertilization to aid infertile couples who have painfully yearned for a wee bundle of joy. According to post-70 CE Christian theology, when the Good Lord wanted a Son and a Mother for his Son he bypassed the natural human process and twice used a supernatural (artificial?) one to bring forth his desire via parthenogenesis.
His remark on Frankenstein science is tangential as that is a just-so story of the Kipling variety. The mad scientist who wants to take over the world does not exist; he is a product of fiction and mythology. All the troubles in the world are caused by non-scientists.
One known, but largely ignored, danger that Mr Kokoski can warn us about is the prescription of antibiotics that are no longer effective for treating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. This is a far greater danger to humankind than advanced genetic techniques.
Yours faithfully,
M Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett