[extropy-chat] Religious fanatic? Blame it on 'god gene'

Adrian Tymes wingcat at pacbell.net
Tue Nov 16 21:31:49 UTC 2004


--- Damien Broderick <thespike at satx.rr.com> wrote:
> 3) If anyone wishes to explore the idea of
> interfering with genes conducive 
> to spiritual experiences and religious behavior, why
> not try positing a 
> virus that *silences* the genes, rather than
> murdered their carriers? This 
> is also pretty damned totalitarian as a notion, but
> markedly less vile.

Unfortunately, the chain of causation makes it seem
likely that the direct effects of the gene would occur
in childhood.  Thus, switching off the gene itself
would seem to do little good, except perhaps to
disable it in future generations...which leaves time
for the affected to seek to have the change undone.

You are correct, IMO, to condemn the mass-murder part
of it - which is why thoughts are being directed to
how those who hold the lives of people like us in
contempt might use it.  (And there are a lot of
theists who would gladly exterminate all scientists
were it in their power to do so.)  'Twould seem in our
best interests to develop a defense against this, but
one usually needs to be aware of the threat before one
can defend against it.



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