Science, be careful with genetic modification

I've been contemplating Charles Darwin and his theories. One of the most striking and somewhat unsettling aspects is how closely Adolph Hitler's thinking emulated that of Darwin. The title of Hitler's book contains the main premise of Darwin's theories. Hitler's “final solution” for some people was a result of his thinking regarding their position, that being inferior. Hitler's plans for a super race were no doubt based on Darwin's theory that a species becomes more genetically perfect over time in its struggle for available resources in competition with other species. Hitler would have used dictatorial powers to accelerate that supposedly slow process.

Darwin could not have imagined in his lifetime Hitler's idea for a super race might now be a reality. No doubt genetic “cures” for some cancers are not far off. It may one day be possible to greatly alter the aging process. The possibilities of genetic engineering are as big as one's imagination, for good or evil.

And as a new can of worms is opened upon civilization, the promise of genetic engineering is dazzling, but there may be a bump or two along the way. Questions remain as to whether nature will allow permanent genetic near perfection. It may be that nature seeks equilibrium rather than perfection.

Our food production system is increasingly dependent on genetically perfecting a relatively small amount of genetic material. Nature is unpredictable and the stakes are enormous for future generations. Science had better be very sure of what it is doing. And maybe it is time to look at the other side of the food equation and work toward stabilizing the world's population.

Alvin Cummings

Walker