I don't care for GMOs running amok but animal genes are less permanent so might be better. And this would, of course, require that EPA and FDA be around to regulate and monitor. Not a guarantee any more, sadly.

Dan

I become very leery when man interferes with genetics that took many, many eons to develop whether one believes it was guided/designed by God or not. I believe the endgame to genetic manipulation is too complicated and random to be understood in a complete sense leading to uncertainty on a very large scale leading to consequences that can not be foreseen or hypothesized.

Yes I enjoy my genetically modified corn. Glow in the dark mice are cool. It is truly amazing how far we have come in our understanding of the microbiological world and the biochemistry that drives life. The world would be a MUCH different place without the discoveries of the last 100 years especially the last 40 or so. But sterilizing a species by genetic manipulation and effectively eradicating them does make me uncomfortable. I am OK with sterilization by radiation to a large number and releasing them, however turning genes on and off and releasing the products into the wild is not something I am in favor of. Basically, evolution has been taken away from nature, becoming man's responsibility. We are not ready for this. When this kind of power is left in the hands of man, it will not be used for the greater good down the road at some point. I realize what is learned cannot be unlearned and "progress" by nature continues indefinitely until the mechanism is understood fully and completely. If Hitler's scientists knew what we knew now, can one imagine how much worse the atrocities would have been? Man is still a homo sapian in his genetics, not the deity he assumes to be and the animal will come out again no matter hard some fight to repress it. This is our fate I believe.

I do admit to myself as we continue to destroy the world around us, this may be one extreme measure that might become necessary in the future. I do not welcome it.

Thanks you for the article, Ark. It was a good read.

John

I just want to say, that things are always more complex than they seem at first. Also I want to make clear, that I am not telling you that your wrong. But also understand that we as a species has already appointed ourselves deity to decide the other organisms fate on this planet. Either through direct action (i.e. extermination of an invasive species, antibiotics, vaccines, selective breeding, farming, pesticides, cutting forests) or through neglect and uncaring (i.e. habitat destruction/fragmentation, introduction of foreign species). FTR I would have no issues with eradicating Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorn Beatle, or Japanese Beatles from North America, as they simply does not belong here and can due a great deal of damage to the ecosystems.

I'm simply of the view that this will eventually happen whether I like it or not. IMHO it's best to start thinking of how to manage yet another tool that man has created to positive effect.

Wow. Can of worms. Split decision here. Like arktrees infers, on the one hand it feels like man has gone so far down the road with chemical products, biological products, GMO's and mechanical means to keep our population fed (and growing) and these introduced insect and plant pests under control that we can't stop lest things collapse. On the other hand, many problems that we have are due to our own interruption of natural cycles, many of which Ma Nature takes care of if given enough time. Problem is, man wants everything "now!"
I can't help thinking about Asian ladybird beetle being introduced to fight aphids and scale; now it has displaced large numbers of native species. Yeah, it is doing what it was intended to do but has become a nusiance pest in homes when it overwinters. Seems like all these fixes may fix one thing but screw up something else, often for the worse.
hortster

See it works both ways, though. What if we spread our genetically modified invasive pests back to the natural habitat, causing mass destruction or even extinction where the organisms naturally occur? In this new global state of interaction, pests and disease will move around the globe into areas not possible before. I think pretty much most people on this forum know and respect that fact. What is to keep our newly altered creatures from going home? No "lysine contingency" here. Maybe some other genetic control that would have to be specific to the organsism in our particular climate? I doubt the extra funding necessary for such would be approved or even considered for that matter.

I am not denying the great potential here, just stating to proceed with caution. A lot can go wrong and that is why I am so apprehensive with genetic modification in organisms meant to wipe out specific species.

John