Tuesday, December 23, 2003
First "genered" pet
I saw this story on CNN TV Saturday night and then looked up the story on the web. A company has spliced genes from an anemone into a zebra fish and created a new fish that glows in the dark. I guess some would call me a luddite but this just gives me the creeps. There are so many examples of this going bad in science fiction. The first thing that came to mind was Beggars and Choosers by Nancy Kress. One of the characters has a pink dog against the laws against genetic engineering. For some reason the image of this pathetic dog stuck with me...oh yeah, this is the internet! Here is the passage:
Of course this is not to mention the themes of genetically engineered plants, animals, and humans that push out their inferior, natural cousins.
I am not against scientific research in this area in a carefully controlled environment, but sales of pets to the public is certainly not under control. I agree with California's decision here and I hope the other states follow suit.
And yet here was Stephanie, theoretically an officer of the law, standing on my terrace flanked by a prison-sentence GSWA violation in pink fur. Katous had for adorable pink ears, identically cocked, aural Rockettes. It had an adorable pink fur rabbit's tail. It had huge brown eyes, three times the size of any dog's eyes Justice Milano would approve, giving it a soulful, sorrowing look. It was so adorable and vulnerable looking I wanted to kick it.
Of course this is not to mention the themes of genetically engineered plants, animals, and humans that push out their inferior, natural cousins.
I am not against scientific research in this area in a carefully controlled environment, but sales of pets to the public is certainly not under control. I agree with California's decision here and I hope the other states follow suit.
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