Genetic manipulation, how far is too far?

Piko the Pichu

Protector of Sweden
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    Lately we've developed more and more technology, and eventually we probably will be able to create pokémon-like creatures with the ability to use certain elements. But when it comes to morals, how many creatures are we willing to genetically deform, because scientists definitely won't get it first try. What do you guys think?
     
    This kind of thing actually does bug me and I have actually imagined something like this being done in animal research labs. This, however will never happen. Pokemon and animals with pokemon-like abilities forced upon them are two different things and have no place in the real world.
     
    You'd be surprised what they've done with lab rats, they made one that could emit a flammable gas instead of regular CO2, yet they could make the rat spark it in anyway. My point is that we WILL get the technology, and that people probably will use it on rats and other "lab vermin", but are they willing to use it on other more humane animals like dogs or cats?
     
    We can try, but we can only go so far. Don't worry, we won't have any Raticates, Sandslahes, nor Raichus. We can alter life and have it adapt, but not change it.
     
    Jobrjo said:
    We can try, but we can only go so far. Don't worry, we won't have any Raticates, Sandslahes, nor Raichus. We can alter life and have it adapt, but not change it.
    Click to expand...

    Why not? Take for example a Raticate, since you used that. Raticate's learned moves (not TM moves) are pretty much all easy to replicate in real life. So to claim that Raticate will never exist is a little off imo. ;x

    As far as genetic manipulation, I feel that we're not going to go down that road too much. We'd be much better off creating robotic drones with no need for any life to be lost, there's really no point in modifying life to make Pokemon.
     
    And Grass type Pokémon wouldn't be that hard. E.g. Leaf Blade would just make it so that Grovyle's leaves are actually muscles ^^

    But yeah, I don't think we should make Pokémon. It would make the whole universe lose its power and mysteriousness that can only be experienced when not personal.
     
    I guess we'd be able to create Pokeballs as well somehow... once we've mastered how to split the atom and how to use spatial quantum physics into action... xD
     
    I personally think that we are way off full genetic manipulation on living mammals. Genetic manipulation has been achieved on plants and is actually very useful (genetically modified plants to allow crops to grow in harsher conditions, yield more, etc.) however, I just don't see a benefit for genetically modifying living animals to make them become Pokémon. While it may possible, it seems to me that there would really be no beneficial aspects to it (apart from maybe making new style of pets for people) and it may even harm the animals in question which is unneeded cruelty for the sake our our entertainment, don't you think?

    No doubt about it, I think it would be cool and it is certainly achievable - if not a long way off, But the drawbacks just seem to outweigh the benefits. Maybe another method that doesn't involve genetic modifying (I'm thinking holograms :D) would be more suitable.
     
    Outside of maybe controlling the fur colour of certain animals to make 'customizable pets', I don't really see the benefit of making chimpanzees breathe fire and expel a flame on their tail.

    Intriguing point about intelligence, though: scientists have recently identified a mutation in one gene which may be part of what lead to the complexity in human brains during evolution. Induction of the same mutation in mice have lead to increased efficiency in brain development, which may mean increased intelligence, though that's yet to be tested. So having smarter animals may not actually be as far off as imagined.
     
    Realistically speaking, scientists are not going to experiment on animals to create fictional monsters from a children's video game franchise. Never mind that Pokemon (unfortunately) probably won't still be around around by the time that level of technology exists. It might be "possible", some day, to some degree, but there's really no reason to believe it would or should ever happen. Genetic engineering intends to improve our quality of life by eliminating diseases and making food easier to mass-produce and whatnot. Only in science fiction do scientists decide to create monsters with elemental powers for the fun of it, because there's just no practical reason to put money or time into developing something like that. If anything the consequences would be disastrous and immoral rather than beneficial.
     
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