> > Yes, there is a chance that GM could cause some major problems. However,
> > nature has been doing GM for, well, ever since there was nature.
> 
> True, but we are taking sequences from phyla that would never interact in
> nature, and splicing them.. Few corn plants ever cross-polinate with a
> squid. :)

That example is extreme, but it has been hypothesised that viruses may
be one mechanism of cross-species genetic transfer. This could occur
beteen highly dissimilar species.

> After looking at the numbers it seems that the chance of reward (and I'm
> > not thinking of finances here) is much greater than the chance of
> > disaster.

> True, but russell has a point the downside is potentially HUGE.

So is the effect of an asteroid striking the earth and most people
think it is only the subject for movies. Of course, most people don't
look at the long term probabilites.

And GM has a high probability of improving life as we know it.

> > Imagine produce that doesn't go bad as fast. People die in the US of
> > bad produce.
> >
> > Of course, we could do the same thing easier with irradiating the food
> > products, but Americans seem to have a strong irrational tabu against
> > anything nuclear.

> Not this one, but I agree in general.. I wonder how many people are aware of
> mail irradiation. Cheap insurance against anthrax or similar nastiness.

I have never understood the irrational fear, even from educated people,
about anything to do with nuclear radiation.

Of course, many educated people smoke.

> > The chance of this happening is almost ridiculous.
> 
> Famous last words :)  I agree in principle though.

Sometimes we take chances. I drive in a college town and that is highly
dangerous. :)

I write notes on the internet that may not be popular using my own
name.
-- 
D. Jay Newman           ! _Linux Robotics: Building Smarter Robots_
jay@sprucegrove.com     ! To be released soon to unsuspecting bookstores
http://enerd.ws/robots/ ! everywhere.
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