[Buddha-l] Buddhist ethics and genetic engineering

[S.A. Feite]

Dear Katherine:

While clearly a spoof (I hope!) it does raise the question I've long  
followed: isn't DNA our honest karmic footprint as homo sapiens and as  
a sentient life-form? And if "yes" what does that say about "cut and  
pasting" ancient karmic fragments of differing sentient beings for our  
egoic satisfaction? Need a tomato that will never freeze during a  
frost? Why not take the DNA of a flounder (which can be froze solid  
and survive) with a common tomato? [You laugh. This was done and had  
been in your supermarket, most likely unlabeled, for years now].

Puhleeze give me the fortitude to keep my hands away from the necks of  
these maniacs I say. Demand GMO labeling laws NOW.

S.A. Feite
Bucksport, Maine

On Nov 26, 2008, at 7:55 PM, Katherine Masis wrote:

> Dear List,
>
> It almost feels rude to change the subject on the current threads so  
> abruptly, but I just received a forwarded e-mail that I find  
> extremely discouraging and depressing.  The ethical implications are  
> staggering.  As Buddhists, what can we say about genetically mass- 
> produced animals (yes, animals) with a programmed life span of 1 to  
> 3 years and chemically controlled behavior?  Take a look at this  
> grotesque link.  Isn't this, at the very least, a violation of  
> international law?  Was any thought given to the suffering produced  
> in this way?  Isn't there a way to start an international boycott of  
> this horribly grotesque practice?  Brave New World, you arrived long  
> ago!
>
> http://www.genpets.com/meet.php