I had a very interesting thought today, and I want to share it with you. This isn’t based on any scientific evidence, nor am I suggesting that I am right. But perhaps others are thinking the same thing. That Genetic Defects are a part of the evolutionary process and that perhaps they are there to help reduce the number of defects.

I never said it was politically correct. I’m also not forcing you to read on. This is my hypothesis.

Genetic Defects form part of the basic evolutionary process. In all animals, a defect passed down from generation to generation through their genetic make up would result in decreased population. This would be due to more illness within the group. Without intervention, this would over time reduce their numbers substantially to a point where the defect may die out.

What does this all mean?

Well what if the genetic issues that we have today are there to help make the species a stronger group? It could be that these illnesses are meant to reduce the likelihood that it will be passed down to another generation. This could be due to some members of a generation passing away before being about to reproduce, or not having the ability to reproduce. Slowly, those with the genetic issue become fewer and fewer. This seems like evolution at work.

So by studying genetics are we short-circuiting the evolutionary process? Perhaps when people have their children scanned and decide not to continue the pregnancy due to a defect, we are in fact assisting evolution. Perhaps by being able to keep people who have this defects alive and healthy longer we are increasing the time it would take for the defect to disappear naturally. It’s a very controversial subject and trust me when I say I don’t really know where I stand on this.

If we are in fact shortcutting the process, should we be allowed to choose whether we only do it for good reasons? Who decides what the definition of good reason is anyway? How can we really be sure whether we are doing the right or wrong thing when it comes to evolution? Some will say religion, and I think that is important to touch on.

When we are looking at the scientific process, and trying to determine whether it is the ‘right’ thing to do, why are religious moral values trotted out. Surely the last thing that a good scientist is going to do is wonder whether the Spaghetti Monster would want him to do it. So why is it when we start talking about genetic research and stem cell technology do we start looking at the religious moral code to determine where we as a people stand on these issues?

Perhaps it shouldn’t be up to the people. Perhaps it needs to be left up to science to determine which is the right thing to do. Perhaps we need to study these issues so that we can understand them better and make the correct choices for the benefit of all, not the benefit of a few. We don’t need guidance from above to understand that we need to take all the evidence we can and determine bad from good, wrong from right using a sound process.

Using just religious arguments is not using sound evidence and a sound process.

Hi loyal reader. I’m sure there is at least one of you.

When I began blogging back in December 08, I didn’t put too much forethought into this place. All I wanted was a site which allowed me to express my opinions on things. So each time I had a bright idea, I’d create a new topic. Eleven topics later (you can’t count them on your fingers, unless you’re special) and I decided that enough was enough. I’ve cleaned up my list of topics to just five.

• Civil Liberties – I’m a strong believer that our rights can and will be eroded if we do not monitor what politicians, advocate groups and other interested parties try to force on us. I’ll present my view on the issues that I think are important or that affect me personally.
• Internet – If I’m posting about Twitter, the current No Clean Feed debate or the new National Broadband Network, then I’ll post it in the Internet Category. I will expand this as time goes on to look at other issues of interest to me.
• Politics – I’m an interested political observer and enjoy commenting on the current political landscape in Australia and the world. I’ll sometimes agree with those in power, but often not. Either way you’ll hear about it in this category.
• Religion – I’m a believer in a secular society free from the interference of religions and deities. I used to believe in the Christian version of God, but now I’ve come to understand that there is no God and that religion can be dangerous in some forms. So from time to time I’ll blog about issues I think need to be discussed. I’m also tolerant of other’s beliefs and options, even if I don’t agree.
• Meta – I left this to last for a reason. My wife suggested the name for this one as I was stuck. What should I do with stuff that isn’t really related to my other categories, but is either related to me or to this blog? That’s what Meta is for. It isn’t a miscellaneous file but will contain posts either about me or what I’ve been thinking about lately. Perhaps a clip on the Internet that I’ve enjoyed and think will add something to your life.  I’ll also cover other information related to this blog. I think it’s important to get a better understanding about the blogger behind the posts, so hence the need for Meta.

I hope that this new set of topics make more sense for you the reader. After all, they are really just a way to help you navigate the site better. Please let me know your thoughts and any good suggestions will be taken, mashed into my brain and taken on board.

At work the other day, we were discussing a colleague’s new man. He has told her he is an atheist, and so my interest piques. Another one pipes up, declaring that you have to believe there is something out there, even if you don’t call it God. I reply that I’m quite happy believing that there is nothing else but science involved.  Again I’m rebuffed, and reminded that our moral conscious is derived from the Ten Commandments.

For those playing along at home, the Ten Commandments are (from Wikipedia, accessed 22-02-2009):

a list of religious and moral imperatives that, according to Judeo-Christian tradition, were authored by God and given to Moses on the mountain referred to as “Mount Sinai” (Exodus 19:23) or “Horeb” (Deuteronomy 5:2) in the form of two stone tablets. They feature prominently in Judaism and Christianity.

Obviously I’m wrong! How could there possibility be no God since Moses came down from a mountain and brought two stone tablets bearing His inscription? So I countered with the argument that perhaps the Ten Commandments were written with the current moral code of the time with additional items for religious reasons. They wondered about this and thought it might be so. But there was still definitely something there!

So to this end I left the conversation as they started to talk about the first person’s man and his beliefs. I think she is probably agnostic anyway so it should work out if he doesn’t mind. At least he might have a chance to give her the facts as he seems them.

I also find it strange that just because I don’t believe in there being a creator and a omnipotent God, people don’t understand that I can enjoy reading of the pomp and ceremony that is found in religions. Religions are very fascinating to me and provide an insight into the human mind unlike any other.

I don’t begrudge someone having their belief system. You may choose to be a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddist, Hindu, Hare Krishna, Jehovah’s Witness or whatever it is you wish to believe in. I guess I’d even say that if you want to be a Scientologist, I can’t stop you – although I would recommend it. Just don’t try to paint me with the same brush.

I believe in science and I have belief in human beings. I know that in each of us is a moral fibre, handed down from generation to generation. We can’t leave it up to another being or higher power (or even politicians and priests) to tell us what is right and wrong. It is up to all of us, the entire community, to teach kids the right way to live. You can differ on the finer points but still know what is wrong and what is right. That is where morals come from, not religion or stone tablets.

And that’s the most important lesson of all.

I’ve been reading Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion. And no, I don’t make no money from that link. The book has really opened my eyes to the world. I come from a Christian background but have been a “non-believer” for a while now.

The God Delusion is taking me in another direction. It shows you the arguements that have been used throughout the ages to defend religion. It gives you thinks to think about while giving referenced facts balanced against the opinion of an emminent Atheist.

It’s Christian-view focus worked well for me due to my background. My wife has said previously it helped her see that she wasn’t alone in the world view. It certainly opened my eyes. Wide open.