Poll: Would you use Genetic Manipulation as a Body Modification?

[NightHawk21]

Those pictures don't make sense, we don't have the genetic code for cat or snake eyes. It's not there and can't be done for the same reason you can't crossbreed a bat with a horse (not that reason!).

Now tweaking genetics to fight inherited conditions is possible and yes, I totally support that but you're talking "Splice" here

Recombinant DNA. It is possible to insert genes from bacteria into plants already, so you could technically insert/replace the genes for your eyes with those of something else. The problem is that it would never be to the scale of those pictures and assuming it was even possible you would lose a major sense since I don't think our brains could process "cat vision". So while you're right that you can't crossbread a horse and a cat you can take a protein the horse makes and give it to the cat. Ex. (look in spoiler)

Spoiler

The picture above is real and it contains some mice that were grown with a protein from a jellyfish that is naturally fluorescent. The problem with this I imagine are its hard to do on grown people since you have to get the DNA in every cell (easier to do with a zygote), and obviously the ethics of working on human young.

As for OT, yes in a heart beat. If it was just genetic conditions, yes, but if I could do the stuff in the pictures than even more so. Also you said you wanted to learn more, try taking some biotech courses at your university. You would probably have to major in biology, and take the annoying prerequisites to take it officially, but I don't see why you couldn't be able to just sit in on a class or two. The stuff we learn is pretty fascinating.

 

[Joey Cole]

Would I use Genetic Manipulation? Yes.

As a Body Modification? If it was just for looks then no. If it was for fixing and upgrading the human body for ie transhumanism then yes.

 

[CulixCupric]

You do realize that the thing with genetics is that, well, it's genetic? And who's to say your future kids appreciate the fangs you're passing on?

Yeah, the fangs, eyes, ears, etc. Eh, if my parents had done this, and i was done with fangs, i think it would be cool. hypothetically, we may end up with new ethnic pools, or even sub-species of humans that could still breed.

 

[ReinWeisserRitter]

For something practical (such as correcting a defect), sure. For doing any number of the, in my frank opinion, empty-headed things you've listed, hell no.

But then, I'm what one might describe as "down to earth".

 

[DarkRyter]

I'd go for the sharingan and maybe a fang or two, but I'm pretty sure being a death note cosplayer isn't a genetic thing.

 

[CulixCupric]

I'd go for the sharingan and maybe a fang or two, but I'm pretty sure being a death note cosplayer isn't a genetic thing.

with the deathnote one, i meant changing hair color.

 

[HerbertTheHamster]

You can already tattoo your eyes op

although it might hurt a bit

I would never ask for a biological Deus Ex anyway.

 

[Shakomaru]

This instantly made me think of Bioshock. Hmm... Well, I'll take Aquamarine eyes. Sounds like enough for me.

 

[CulixCupric]

This instantly made me think of Bioshock. Hmm... Well, I'll take Aquamarine eyes. Sounds like enough for me.

someone already used the term splicing.

Now tweaking genetics to fight inherited conditions is possible and yes, I totally support that but you're talking "Splice" here

see? but we're not talking plasmids, cause there are no bees involved. I made this topic because i saw an article on advancements in genetic modification. anyone heard of the "spider goats"? well, this wasn't this article, it was on human-animal splicing/genetic manipulation.

it was this article: http://singularityhub.com/2011/07/26/uk-plans-for-human-animal-genetic-hybrids/

 

[Substitute Troll]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait. Wait... Wait. WAIT. WAIT! Wait, wait, wait... Wait.

I can haz Witcher eyes?

Sign me the fuck up.

 

[drisky]

I'm not against body modification if people want it. I'm not against genetic modification for medical purposes. Beyond that we run it to problems though. If we enhance performance then it will just be for those who can afford it and now the rich are just better form birth and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Also as mentioned by someone already, you'd be passing on these tampered with traits, which could cause any number of unknown problems a few generations down. There are inherent dangers to gene therapy and we have to be careful with how we use it.

Also most of the stuff you shown can already be done anyways. Contacts for the eyes, plastic surgery for the ears, surgical hair implants for the werewolf, and so on.

 

[CthulhuMessiah]

I would like to have a full head of hair though.

Baldness runs in my family, so that's all I'd use it for.

Or, if I can use plamids from BioShock.

 

[Sum1else]

1. depending on when and how your genes are modified, it may not transfer, it only will if the gametes are directly affected, which is unlikely to be done because that won't cause any physical changes (unless the intent is to fix/cause sterility).

2. we already are, what chemicals we take in determine which genes we express, (they took identical twin rats and by feeding them slightly different but still fully nutritious diets got them to look and act completely different) and by taking in specific chemicals from birth you can do things like raise IQ or specify certain characteristics within standard human ranges.

3. what this will allow (aside from cosmetic effect) is specialization, if you want to get a specific job from a young enough age you could spend several years getting modified to have 'talents' used in that kind of job (more than can be acquired naturally), (or your parents could buy you some 'talent' at birth and let you pursue it or not).

 

[idarkphoenixi]

If its purely just for appearance then no, I'd rather not stand out like that. I'd want it to at least have some kind of practical use first.

 

[William Ossiss]

Green/black scales and accentuated eyes? (mine happen to be multi-colored...) with reptile-ish pupils?

Fuck Yes.

I want a tail!