Michael Ragland wrote:

> 
> Jumpstart 2000

> 
> Gene therapy is the altering of genes in the human body. Gene
> Replacement Therapy uses a virus to introduce the new DNA into the body.
> The altered virus is injected into the body and explodes, spreading the
> new DNA throughout the body. The new DNA would change the old cells,
> altering any genes that controlled aggressive behavior.
> 

Obviously, genetics and chemistry play a role in aggression.  However,
if, as I have maintained in another post, much human aggression is
related to low self-esteem, or at least is a reaction to self-esteem
related trauma, then another mechanical solution might be to simply
implant reversible birth control devices in everyone, including
new borns.  The result of this would be that, instead of having to
behave responsibly in order to PREVENT pregnancy, one would have to
behave responsbily, by obtaining the reversing medical procedure,
in order to ACHIEVE pregnancy, with the resultant elimation of
unwanted children.  I suspect this is a much more plausible and
achievable approach, medically at least, to reducing the number of
violent individuals in the world than gene therapy, at least in
the foreseeable future.  Of course, politically, I suspect you
would have a bit of a challenge on your hands, but probably one
no greater than that associated with having everyone undertake
gene therapy.

PR
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