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Now an ethical, but hypothetical problem

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Basically, GPL means that you are given freedom to do everything you imagine to the code. Now when it comes to present idea of what the code is this is more or less allright. But imagine the time in which, for example, it will be possible to program complex DNA structures. Your code would be a living being then (at least it would represent a living being). GPL, in that case, would be nothing more than ultimate control over that life form - pure slavery. For example you could take a code of a beautiful genius woman and turn it to a sex slave. GPL doesn't seems so right now, does it? :-)

This reminds me, though, of a present debate over stem cells. Maybe this issue is not a faraway future anymore.

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GPL and DNA slavery

Submitted by IntnsRed on Thu, 2006-08-31 08:17.

Quote:
GPL, in that case, would be nothing more than ultimate control over that life form - pure slavery. For example you could take a code of a beautiful genius woman and turn it to a sex slave.

So is this to imply that the woman would prefer the non-GPL chattel form of slavery -- that of being "property" via copyright or patent laws? :-)

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hmm, made me thinking again

Submitted by 1 on Thu, 2006-08-31 14:55.

Yes, do we have a copyright on our own DNA? And what is a sexual intercourse in legal terms then? A licencing of a product? Made me thinking...

I just need to ask the moderator to remove this post in short time in order to prevent imbeciloid minds of govermental administration from reading it. They might get ideas...

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Re: hmm, made me thinking again

Submitted by IntnsRed on Thu, 2006-08-31 15:34.

Quote:
Yes, do we have a copyright on our own DNA?

I'm not sure about the US or other "advanced" countries.

But I do recall that a few years ago the drug companies were going around to the governments of poor countries -- especially countries with isolated pockets of native peoples -- and offering them pocket change to "licence" the genomes of the entire country's population.

There was also a lawsuit by an African-American woman in the US who went in a couple of decades ago for some routine medical procedure (sorry, my memory's sketchy on the details of this). When analyzing her blood the hospital found she had some unique qualities and her genes were patented by a medical company and those qualities are in wide use -- an entire sub-industry was based off her genes. She sued to reclaim her "property", though I don't recall hearing the results of her lawsuit. (If anyone has details, please chime in.)

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ethics...

Submitted by pinniped on Thu, 2006-08-31 16:20.

I never worry about ethics beyond what is real and present. Otherwise it is no better than Luddism and an obstacle to progress put up by people who are scared of change. There are times when I wish I could just go around shooting all ethicists - especially the annoying ones you see on TV who spout the most inane garbage.

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baah, baah?The skill is

Submitted by terryc200607 on Fri, 2006-09-01 23:49.

baah, baah?

The skill in living is to realse what"issues" are worth caring about, which can be ignored and which are worth responding to.

Capitalism loves sheep such as yourself.

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Wow, another one-liner

Submitted by 1 on Sat, 2006-09-02 16:46.

Wow, another one-liner living HOWTO! You opened my eyes.
Once I was a sheep, and now I am a man!

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