13 Comments

Trophy hunting should be banned. But this case, as your article points out, Ed, is more about the mad scientist at work. When science goes awry, as it did in this case, the profit motive is at the forefront.

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Agreed, Perry, this will be a difficult genie to put back into the bottle...

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Thank you for this informative article.

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Wow. Wow. Wow. Thank you for this. I don't read the news, but I'd heard something of this. I had no idea what the bigger picture was. The ramifications are huge. Thankfully the law saw fit to make an example of this one.

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Both trophy hunting and cloning animals should be banned.

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Oct 2Liked by Ed Boks

I find it interesting that humans with the hubris of deeming themselves the only species capable of rational thought, are so infant-like in their pursuit of immediate gratification that the sating of their want blinds them to the long and short term consequences of their choices and actions. Mother is saying “No—there are limits and boundaries.” Mother says there are no limits and boundaries to my love for all the diverse landscapes and communities of Earth. There are however, limits to my ability to heal from the toxic substances and behaviors humans insist on piling on without providing space, time, and resources for healing. Earth never had the inclination or need for short term profits. Short term profits are an inhumane human concept. Short term profits prove time and time again to have long term negative consequences on all life across the globe. The meaning of we are all connected and we are one is Nature’s way. Man’s laws and man’s nature are like parasites who kill their host. The Earth was better off when humans were wise enough to know they are a part of Nature. Domination and Destruction are synonyms.

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AMS, your words beautifully capture the tension between short-term gains and the long-term health of our planet. As we continue to innovate and develop, it's crucial to balance our pursuits with a deep respect for the Earth and its ecosystems. Recognizing our role as stewards rather than dominators can help guide us toward more sustainable and harmonious ways of living. Your insights are a valuable contribution to this ongoing conversation about how we can better align our actions with the well-being of all life on Earth.

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Oct 2Liked by Ed Boks

Messing with divine creation is another sign that "they" have lost all respect. The insanity!!

Thank you!!!

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For a much more thorough article on this subject, here's a link: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/montana-man-pleads-guilty-federal-wildlife-trafficking-charges-part-yearslong-effort-create. The effort here involved several things, from importing parts of foreign species to parts of protected local species and was in the service of hunting, but how do you really differentiate the basic goal from genetic modification going on with so many animal and plant species? To me this seemed like a pretty obvious extension of practices that have been carried on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

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Thanks, Jack, for sharing your thoughts and the link to the article. You raise an interesting point about the historical context of genetic modification. While it's true that humans have been selectively breeding plants and animals for centuries, the techniques used today, like cloning and advanced genetic engineering, represent a significant leap in our ability to directly manipulate genetic material. This new level of intervention allows for changes that can occur much faster and with greater precision than traditional methods.

However, these innovations also come with substantial risks and ethical considerations. The potential for unforeseen ecological impacts, such as disrupting local ecosystems or introducing new diseases, underscores the need for robust regulation. Without careful oversight, the consequences could be far-reaching and irreversible. Therefore, while innovation is essential, ensuring that it is conducted responsibly is crucial to safeguarding both biodiversity and ethical standards.

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Trophy hunting is vile, and I always appreciate the karma when the hunted are able to be the hunter and kill at least one threat. That said, the negative ecological and ethical consequences are real. The perpetrator’s hubris was real and probably supported by his monetary wealth. Since he is still alive, I doubt the fine and sentence will deter him. It seems he might be in the 1% of our economy, which probably means that his quest for more & more money & power will not be stopped by few months in jail. He’ll just have more time to think of ways to get around ethical & legal barriers. The 1% does not seem concerned about long-term consequences for the planet they live on and ALL its inhabitants.

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Mind boggling that this man did this!

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I fear the genie may be out of the bottle...

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