Nate,
Yes, I noticed another place where the scientists placed all of their faith
in "the ethicists" (whatever that might be, I suppose it means that you have
a degree in Philosophy with a major in Ethics, and also have a job with some
CORPORATION that provides such services).
I once had the idea for a great business to be called: Doxic Enterprises
Unlimited. It's slogan was to be something like: "we provide believable
reasons for what you do". The funny thing is that the Ethicists, in the
last analysis or the long run (depending on whether you're looking at it
logically or historically), won't have one wit of influence over whether
people pursue a given technology. Until it runs counter to their interests
($$$$$$$$$$), it will be done. And with Mickey and Stewart Little, it
seems we're already primed and ready as a civilization for mice with human
brains.
Paul H. Dillon
----- Original Message -----
From: Nate Schmolze <vygotsky@home.com>
To: <xmca@weber.ucsd.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 6:31 PM
Subject: Re: Ethics and a Brave New World
> Funny, when I first read the title I though they meant the computer mouse.
> Always willing to try a new technology you know.
>
> My favorite line was,
>
> "It is not the objective to go make mice with human brains," Weissman
said.
> "(But) it is in the domain of the ethicists, not the experimenters, to
> figure out what our limits are."
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul H.Dillon" <illonph@pacbell.net>
> To: <xmca@weber.ucsd.edu>
> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 7:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Ethics and a Brave New World
>
>
> > Nate,
> >
> > These developments certainly do give new meaning to Shakespeare's
comment
> > about the "best laid plans of mice and men", making it harder than ever
to
> > know the difference.
> >
> > Paul H. Dillon
> >
> >
>
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