The coming novel, yet unnamed
As I've pointed out, earlier in this blog,
euthanasia was practiced
in psychiatric institutions and killing centers in Germany, long before the
Nazis took control of the idea of eliminating the “useless eaters”. They quickly accelerated the program to
include over 70,000 ordinary German citizens, handicapped or mentally ill
children and adults.
In the novel in progress, I hope to demonstrate how a set of individuals, who eventually become government leaders (Nazis), set about attempting to modify the genetics of Europe's race, by genocide and selective breeding (using eugenics). With historically factual dates, I've structured a purely fictional story of several characters involved in both sides of the struggle during and after WW-II.
With the advent of today's rapid progress in the field of recombinant genetics (RNA/DNA) we will soon be able to accomplish, before birth, many of the goals the Nazis attempted to do, by putting to death much of Germany's own, non-Jewish and Jewish population
It would not be surprising that future generations will possess the ability to modify their own genetic makeup real-time, as they live...like taking a pill or receiving an injection. Change the color of your hair, the size of your breasts, your height...unimaginable as it may sound, you can bet it will be attempted, especially if there's profit in it. Fine tune your emotional state (without the hazards of alcohol or drugs, you bet...but don't wait around. Our generation will probably be one or two generations too late.
Do you think another Holocaust could happen? Many would debate that they are not continually occurring today, in sub-Sahara Africa. Certainly, the next time it is attempted by "civilized" beings, it will be more subtle. Like Everett Dirkson's Frog Story, "it" will slowly creep up on us until, like the frog, it's too late, we're cooked.
For pointers in this whole area, and to update my own personal knowledge (my molecular modeling software is two versions behind) I've recently been in contact with the Department Chair for the Center For Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, Art Caplan.
Art is an impressive, award winning author and writes a regular column on bioethics for MSNBC.com. He is a frequent guest /commentator on various media outlets around the country. If you have an opportunity to hear Art speak, grab it; he's entertaining as well as intriguing.
Art pointed me toward a forthcoming book that he's co-authored, along with several impressive names in the field of bio-ethics: .http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=15225. From the looks of the topics and authors, this publication will bring about some stimulating questions. I look forward to reading the text.
In the novel in progress, I hope to demonstrate how a set of individuals, who eventually become government leaders (Nazis), set about attempting to modify the genetics of Europe's race, by genocide and selective breeding (using eugenics). With historically factual dates, I've structured a purely fictional story of several characters involved in both sides of the struggle during and after WW-II.
With the advent of today's rapid progress in the field of recombinant genetics (RNA/DNA) we will soon be able to accomplish, before birth, many of the goals the Nazis attempted to do, by putting to death much of Germany's own, non-Jewish and Jewish population
It would not be surprising that future generations will possess the ability to modify their own genetic makeup real-time, as they live...like taking a pill or receiving an injection. Change the color of your hair, the size of your breasts, your height...unimaginable as it may sound, you can bet it will be attempted, especially if there's profit in it. Fine tune your emotional state (without the hazards of alcohol or drugs, you bet...but don't wait around. Our generation will probably be one or two generations too late.
Do you think another Holocaust could happen? Many would debate that they are not continually occurring today, in sub-Sahara Africa. Certainly, the next time it is attempted by "civilized" beings, it will be more subtle. Like Everett Dirkson's Frog Story, "it" will slowly creep up on us until, like the frog, it's too late, we're cooked.
For pointers in this whole area, and to update my own personal knowledge (my molecular modeling software is two versions behind) I've recently been in contact with the Department Chair for the Center For Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, Art Caplan.
Art is an impressive, award winning author and writes a regular column on bioethics for MSNBC.com. He is a frequent guest /commentator on various media outlets around the country. If you have an opportunity to hear Art speak, grab it; he's entertaining as well as intriguing.
Art pointed me toward a forthcoming book that he's co-authored, along with several impressive names in the field of bio-ethics: .http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=15225. From the looks of the topics and authors, this publication will bring about some stimulating questions. I look forward to reading the text.
Somewhere I read that you talked to Dean Kaplin about the modern role of "eugenics" in the test tube. What was the name of the book from the U of Penn? I can not locate your original comment?
Thank you, Ralph A.
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Ralph, sorry to be so long in replying. Arthur Caplin's (he's co-author) is "The Penn Center Guide to Bioethics"...$65.
http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=15225
Jerry
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