Wednesday 20 May 2009

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Quotes on Genetic Engineering and Respect for Life

The Supreme Court has ruled that genetic technology or engineering that deals with the manipulation of the bodies of living organisms is no different from any other technology that deals in the manipulation of matter.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation

==========

As far as the Supreme Court is concerned, a machine is a machine, a product is a product, an invention is an invention. There is no difference between a so-called living invention or a living machine and a nonliving machine or nonliving invention.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation

==========

Researchers seeking the right to patent microorganisms testified before the Supreme Court that scientists cannot draw a line between the living and the nonliving. But contrary to such testimony, matter displays definite characteristics when life is present that it does not display when life is not present.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation

==========

However rudimentary the awareness of bacteria may be, it does exist. Bacteria also have a sense of self-awareness, as indicated by the fact that their observable activities seem to center on survival.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation

==========

Mankind doesn’t own the lower or higher species of life.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation

==========

The basis of ethical protest against genetic engineering on lower and higher species is respect. And the basis of our respect for living beings is our perception of a fundamental distinction between the living and the nonliving. We see life as special. Without that respect for the living, there is no basis for protesting the treatment of the living as if they were nonliving.

Jagad Guru Chris Butler - Science of Identity Foundation