The following questions
were posed by Marque-Luisa Miringoff in her book The Social Costs of Genetic
Welfare on the topic of Genetic Diversity.
Theoretically, if we seek to "weed out" the
more obvious defects of genotype and phenotype, might we not ultimately
make more significant and become more sensitive to lesser differences of
form and type?
As major differences have come to be grounds for biological
elimination, might not smaller differences later come to be equally legitimate
targets?
If we must permit extreme forms of deviation in order
that individuality may thrive, must we also "permit" extreme
genetic disease so that simpler forms of diversity may be allowed?
Do the demands on societal tolerance to accept the
most difficult forms of deviation permit us to accept or allow the lesser
difference of nature?
Does increased knowledge of the human genome, where
new genetic conditions are rapidly being presented to the general public,
make the public more tolerant?
Will they learn to live with diversity?
Selected Links
Diversity and Deviance: A Biological Perspective
This page gives an introduction to Paul Grobstein's
book published by the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin. He brings to mind the
overwhelming biological diversity which exists regardless of our strive
towards order. He stresses the importance of encouraging generations of
diversity.
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
What
is Biological Diversity? http://www.peregrinefund.org/BioDiver.html
The Peregrine Fund gives a brief and concise definition
of biological diversity.
SOCIAL DEVIANCE
Functional
Deviant: A Hypothetical Interpretation by Friedrich Nietzsche http://www.mala.bc.ca:80/~mcneil/
m4lec5a.htm
We stumbled across this page with no reference. We
thought it would be an interesting perspective. It is a philosophical ramble
regarding the deviant's critical function within society.
"Deviants are reviled but critical for survival."
RACIAL DIVERSITY
Statement
on Race as a Biological Concept http://www.amren.com/rushton.htm
J.Philippe Rushton's essay is in response to the claims
that race has no biological basis. He believes that behavioral, morphological,
and physiological differences can be attributed to race.
Return
to Racial Science? http://www.hrc.wmin.ac.uk/racegallery/FAQ.html
This is a list of frequently asked questions about
racial differences.
The Bell Curve Home Page http://www.cycad.com/cgi-bin/Upstream/Issues/
bell-curve /index.html
Inspired by Herrstein and Murray's book The Bell Curve,
this site offers a collection of responses and interviews, both pro and
con, about the controversial issue of basing racial differences on biology.
Entertaining Diversity http://www.cc.colorado.edu:80/Dept/AN/AN101
Hoffman/Lectures/5race.html
This is Colorado College's page on race and diversity.
It provides links to various sources about classification issues, and on
race and intelligence.