Pol 300: April 10

-Should companies be able to own the DNA in plant seeds?

Simply put. No. There has to be some sort of boundary that we do not let people or corporations cross. If seeds can be patented, can we patent a dog? If a dog can be patented, can we patent an infant? Do we really want to live in a society that essentially puts a price on something that is often appraised as priceless? To me, that is what we would be doing since the whole point of a patent or to have ownership of something is for profit-making. Besides moral grounds, I think it is dangerous to assume that something that is relatively new (GMOs and the like) and that professionals have been working on is somehow completely safe and will not lead to any adverse effects. What comes to my mind is the story of the Dodo bird and how the introduction of dogs and cats brought about its extinction because of a new, unnatural arrival of another animal species. Will this be fate of other plants that are relatives of genetically-modified plants? The adage, only time will tell, is suitable in this case but I don't think we should even put ourselves into a position where we wait for something bad to happen.

-Consider what it would be like if people could buy and sell DNA on eBay. What are the possible implications of something like this?

This reminds me of talks about "designer babies;" a couple can go to the doctor, choose the sex, skin tone, and even the eye color of their future child through genetic manipulation. Again, I'm not sure of the consequences of doing something like this and it seems that we, human beings, are quite arrogant in our approach to science. If people could sell their DNA through an online auction there could be numerous implications. Perhaps we would become an even more superficial society where only women with blonde hair, blue eyes, and large breasts or men that are 6 feet tall and muscle bound, would be all that is in the genetic pool. Of course the opposite could be true, that people could end up deeming such practices as too "fake" or immoral and choose to shun them. However, with the way things are going and seeing what people will do to look good or increase their sex appeal (I can't tell you how many of my friends have fad tattoos that regret it now) as of late, I am slightly pessimistic. In the end, such practices would likely lead to a society that is less unique and boring. No thanks.