Frankenfish is the first genetically engineered animal intended for food to be approved by the FDA.
They studied it for years and then banned it. After intense foreign lobbying they then approved it. Then Congress banned it. Then the FDA punted to the USDA. Then the USDA approved it. Now the FDA says it has no authority in the matter.
Apparently you can tell it’s a Frankenfish if your eyeballs have a built in digital scanner [or if you carry a handheld one to market with you] that can “read” an electronic imprint on the label.
Without getting into the whatabouts and the rationalizations, how can this be a good thing to strive for at this point in human history? Genetic research and experimentation are awesome. Forty thousand laws couldn’t stop it – nor should we even try.
The question is whether human kind will receive it as a boon or a bane. If billions of people recoil in disgust it will be limited for a time, but not permanently. Kin to Baslim’s quote, humans will find a way – both to horribly misuse genetic tinkering and meliorative ways that will benefit the whole world. Accidental mingling with natural species is inevitable.
Point being that this is a big deal and a new door we are going through. What is on the other side of mastering the secrets of creating new life, and how will we deal with that power? Better than fiction’s Dr. Frankenstein we can only hope.
I think we need a bit more consideration of what “natural” means in this context. Domestic animals, in general, are not natural if you mean by that, not modified by humans. They exist in their present forms because of the selective pressures exerted by humans. On the other hand, if you say that humans are a natural part of the biosphere, then the results of their selective pressure actions are also natural. Is technological intelligence natural? I happen to think it is, but I also recognize that natural traits of a species can contain the characteristics that lead to the extinction of the species. So I think the real question is whether we’re smart enough to avoid extinction from our exercising of our intelligence.
Thanks to very informative damn-near-dissertations I have lots of reading to do. I personally have an extensive technical background but am spiritually a Luddite. (Was glad to see that word used.) I find extremely good points on both sides of Thomas’ and Baslims opinions. And thank you Mr. Two Bulls for the forum and prodding. But society as a whole has a lot of maturing to do before reasonable solutions can take hold. Unfortunately it will require a better educational system which I don’t think our corporate culture wishes to happen. They want working-class society in two groups: STEM for their corporate drones w/no liberal arts education, and uneducated muscle for operation/construction. Both types are easily led which is The Whole Point.
• Thomas about 5 years ago
Frankenfish is the first genetically engineered animal intended for food to be approved by the FDA.
They studied it for years and then banned it. After intense foreign lobbying they then approved it. Then Congress banned it. Then the FDA punted to the USDA. Then the USDA approved it. Now the FDA says it has no authority in the matter.
Apparently you can tell it’s a Frankenfish if your eyeballs have a built in digital scanner [or if you carry a handheld one to market with you] that can “read” an electronic imprint on the label.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/21/2018-27283/national-bioengineered-food-disclosure-standard
Nantucket Premium Member about 5 years ago
The salmon I buy is from a small business in Alaska that catches wild fish. Color varies by what the fish have been eating.
GregZimmerman about 5 years ago
“you’re” .
ArtyD2 Premium Member about 5 years ago
They are the ones without all the mercury. Surprised the anti-vaxxers don’t get all bent out of shape by the contaminated sea food.
• Thomas about 5 years ago
Genetically altering living creatures.
Without getting into the whatabouts and the rationalizations, how can this be a good thing to strive for at this point in human history? Genetic research and experimentation are awesome. Forty thousand laws couldn’t stop it – nor should we even try.
The question is whether human kind will receive it as a boon or a bane. If billions of people recoil in disgust it will be limited for a time, but not permanently. Kin to Baslim’s quote, humans will find a way – both to horribly misuse genetic tinkering and meliorative ways that will benefit the whole world. Accidental mingling with natural species is inevitable.
Point being that this is a big deal and a new door we are going through. What is on the other side of mastering the secrets of creating new life, and how will we deal with that power? Better than fiction’s Dr. Frankenstein we can only hope.
JohnDanahy about 5 years ago
Deep discussion here. Am not gonna stick my oar in the water ‘till I’ve had more time to digest this.
martens about 5 years ago
I think we need a bit more consideration of what “natural” means in this context. Domestic animals, in general, are not natural if you mean by that, not modified by humans. They exist in their present forms because of the selective pressures exerted by humans. On the other hand, if you say that humans are a natural part of the biosphere, then the results of their selective pressure actions are also natural. Is technological intelligence natural? I happen to think it is, but I also recognize that natural traits of a species can contain the characteristics that lead to the extinction of the species. So I think the real question is whether we’re smart enough to avoid extinction from our exercising of our intelligence.
crgigoux about 5 years ago
Marty, Grammar police alert, you need to change the “Your” to “You’re” on the yellow sign.
oldwolf1951 about 5 years ago
Marty, you sure started a big and very informative blog here. What think you?
JohnDanahy about 5 years ago
Thanks to very informative damn-near-dissertations I have lots of reading to do. I personally have an extensive technical background but am spiritually a Luddite. (Was glad to see that word used.) I find extremely good points on both sides of Thomas’ and Baslims opinions. And thank you Mr. Two Bulls for the forum and prodding. But society as a whole has a lot of maturing to do before reasonable solutions can take hold. Unfortunately it will require a better educational system which I don’t think our corporate culture wishes to happen. They want working-class society in two groups: STEM for their corporate drones w/no liberal arts education, and uneducated muscle for operation/construction. Both types are easily led which is The Whole Point.
janfable about 5 years ago
“And you’re never going to know it.”