The following article was published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, July 5th, 2000. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795. CPA Central Committee: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "The Guardian": <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.cpa.org.au> Subscription rates on request. ****************************** Editorial: The human GENOME map The mapping of human DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) is undoubtedly a tremendous scientific event and credit must go to the teams of scientists who have contributed to this achievement. It has been made possible by the steady accumulation of scientific knowledge in many fields over thousands of years. The early mathematicians, the astronomical theories of Copernicus, Darwin's theory of evolution, Einstein's theory of relativity, Marx' and Engel's theory of dialectical materialism which gave all who wish to use it tools by which to understand the processes going on in nature and human society, the splitting of the atom, the discovery of anti-biotics, computer technology and many others, have all contributed. For thousands of years there have been those who have studied the human body and sought to understand its workings, find treatments and cures for diseases, and prolong life. The Genome map will be an exceedingly important tool which provides the knowledge necessary to find new solutions to many old problems. Most attention is being paid to its medical use and undoubtedly, within a short space of time, the treatment of many illnesses will be revolutionised and, perhaps, permanent cures found. But there are many ethical, moral and economic consequences which are not yet being seriously considered. For example, how will the DNA map of a particular person be secured, who might use it and how, will it become a source of discrimination, if human longevity is substantially increased what does this do to population and how do government's cope with a huge increase in pensioners? One immediate spin off from the Genome project is more scientific proof that there is no scientific basis for racist theories. All races have almost identical DNA maps. Unfortunately, this will not, in itself, do away with racism. It does not mean that discrimination against the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will now cease. This discrimination is based on economic interests -- those who stole the land of the Aboriginal people do not intend to give it back or even share it with those they dispossessed. An impression has already been created that the whole project was the work of American and British scientists. It was announced in the presence of President Clinton and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and in none of the press reports is there a mention that the scientists of Japan, Germany, France and China were directly involved together with some work being done by scientists in other countries. One of the scientists involved, Dr Venter, is reported as saying that "This is an historic moment for private industry" and there are already indications that private companies are rushing in to even patent parts of the DNA map. Such a development is a monstrous obscenity but it is unlikely that the governments of the US, Britain or Australia that are wedded to the private enterprise "market" system will rapidly implement the necessary laws to ensure that the map is available to the whole world. The other major question which is similarly being neglected is the uses to which the DNA map could be put to clone and tailor- make human beings to serve certain purposes. Let the evil intentions of many of those in power and who may control and use of the DNA map, be underestimated. It is now possible to deliberately breed human beings with physical and mental inclinations as mindless workers, soldiers or killers, others engineered for specific purposes and, of course, an elite with enhanced mental capabilities - born to rule! Far-fetched? Animals are already being cloned and seeds genetically engineered. Scenes from Dr Who or Star Trek easily come to mind. The inventions and discoveries of the last few decades are tremendous strides in knowledge but they also provide the means by which the power to control and exploit has been enhanced. Private enterprise is already reaching out to gain complete and unchallenged control over these discoveries to be used for its own purposes and not for the good of humanity as a whole. The next few decades will determine whether humanity awakens to it's danger and acts in time. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART: EDITORIAL: THE HUMAN GENOME MAP
Communist Party of Australia Wed, 05 Jul 2000 01:29:33 -0700
