Ethics for scientific advances

[Nearly Sane]

Quite an interesting starting point from Kazuo Ishiguro about how we deal with recent and upcoming scientific advances.


https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/02/kazuo-ishiguro-were-coming-close-to-the-point-where-we-can-create-people-who-are-superior-to-others

[Udayana]

What is he actually proposing?

Surely most people want someone superior, more intelligent and powerful to take control and run everything leaving them free to enjoy their lives in peace with minimal work and effort and plenty of entertaining activities and diversions?

A brave new world? I'm sure they would vote for one given the option.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Udayana,

Eeerm! No, What I get from the link is that we should be involved, it's nice that the Chinese are looking at ways to combat lung cancer but what are the implications of this, we are already seeing signs in this world of a generation which did not care, which did not question, which did not ask why.

We now know that Blair was a asshole ( and Cameron is vying for second place ) there were people at the time warning us that what Blair was doing was totally wrong but the majority just thought, hell who cares, it won't affect me, well it is affecting them now, bigtime!

We should all be involved, we should all be questioning, I want to know what scientists are up to behind closed doors, I want to know that they are thinking of future implications, there are to many fat cats only interested in making a fast buck out of science with no thought for future implications.

Gonnagle.

[Udayana]

Oh dear Gonnagle .. that is because you think too much and lack trust. Questioning usually leads to unhappiness and loss of trust.

Never mind, we should be able to fix that shortly ... now just sit back and relax, your new leader has been fitted with a BOW1^* chip so no need to worry - all is in hand

^* Best of all possible worlds v1.

[Nearly Sane]

What is he actually proposing?

Surely most people want someone superior, more intelligent and powerful to take control and run everything leaving them free to enjoy their lives in peace with minimal work and effort and plenty of entertaining activities and diversions?

A brave new world? I'm sure they would vote for one given the option.

I don't think that he is proposing anything other than that we need to try and be aware that change needs to be at least attempted to be understood in terms of its impacts. 

[Udayana]

I don't think that he is proposing anything other than that we need to try and be aware that change needs to be at least attempted to be understood in terms of its impacts.

He is definitely right about the potential of gene-editing and AI/robotics to transform human life but who is going to decide the ethical framework? The way that GM has been handled to this point does not inspire confidence.

[Nearly Sane]

He is definitely right about the potential of gene-editing and AI/robotics to transform human life but who is going to decide the ethical framework? The way that GM has been handled to this point does not inspire confidence.

and surely that's his point, that we need to think, or attempt to think clearly about things, and not just ignore them or make knee jerk decisions.

[Udayana]

Where are the debates on those issues taking place?

I don't think any general consensus will be reached before the money men and markets set the rules and exploit the new technologies for vested interests.

[Walter]

He is definitely right about the potential of gene-editing and AI/robotics to transform human life but who is going to decide the ethical framework? The way that GM has been handled to this point does not inspire confidence.

please can you elaborate on this GM thing, not sure what you mean.

[Hope]

please can you elaborate on this GM thing, not sure what you mean.

Genetic Modification.

[Walter]

Genetic Modification.

gerraway Hope.

sorry my fault, I meant , is it a problem or something?

[Harrowby Hall]

I suspect that Hope is referring to the actions of firms like Monsanto who have developed GM crops which - in order to survive successfully - require a whole range of specific tailor-made, in-house products (fertilizers, pest controllers etc). The farmers are tied in to a whole range of products from the same manufacturer if they want to produce the crop. Big profits for the manufacturer.

[Walter]

I suspect that Hope is referring to the actions of firms like Monsanto who have developed GM crops which - in order to survive successfully - require a whole range of specific tailor-made, in-house products (fertilizers, pest controllers etc). The farmers are tied in to a whole range of products from the same manufacturer if they want to produce the crop. Big profits for the manufacturer.

and big food for the world.

[Udayana]

I.m sure you can look up all the various controversies yourself.

Because of mismanagement, greed and lack of clear, comprehensive, ethical and testing regulation the full potential has not been realized. Many countries have bans in place and the technology is widely distrusted.  The flow of profits to the rich just increases inequality.

http://gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/where-are-gmos-grown-and-banned/

[Walter]

I.m sure you can look up all the various controversies yourself.

Because of mismanagement, greed and lack of clear, comprehensive, ethical and testing regulation the full potential has not been realized. Many countries have bans in place and the technology is widely distrusted.  The flow of profits to the rich just increases inequality.

http://gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/where-are-gmos-grown-and-banned/

thanks for the link