Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: deafness & genetic engineering Message-ID: <18509@bunker.isc-br.com> Date: 4 Apr 91 19:37:16 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/94 - Monroe Electronic M, Monroe NY Lines: 52 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 14635 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] Hi Jack, JO> It was too absurd to post in JO> the echo. I suppose there always will be those who elect to choose JO> ignorance above knowledge - as some of the "Genetic Engineering" JO> opponents and now the NAD appear to do. You and I, being deaf but JO> not Deaf, may never fully understand everything about the Deaf JO> community. I didn't see the NAD paper and have to confess am not really 'up' on the details of actually how the cochlear implant or the genetic engineering would work, but the objections or concerns that may be raised might have to do with 1.) the risks and 2.) the manner of 'cure'. I know that current 'advancements' I have read about what could prevent my daughter's disability is early detection and abortion. That to me is no solution. I'd rather have her alive and imperfect than not alive. As far as deaf culture being wiped out with the potential of erradicating deafness at birth (as opposed to deafness that occurs later in life) I can really understand where they're coming from (those who are objecting) emotionally, despite the logical scientific arguments to the contrary. In the end even THEY would probably agree it would have been better to not have been born deaf (certainly easier) but the prospect of watching a whole way of life go poof in a puff of smoke, you can just imagine how that makes them feel! Of course this doesn't excuse flaming attacks on the bearer of the information, but I think alot of hurt and injury is seathing underneath their words and again they were speaking from an emotional frame of mind. JO> ... Carpe Diem! I know that many of our English words come from Latin and to carp is to complain or blame...could this mean 'blame God'? I know He does take the rap for alot of what we all do (or the consequences thereof). PS: Happy Easter...almost ready to say Merry Christmas, it was snowing (and sticking) here just a little while ago. With what we've done to our environment, I think we've messed up God a bit too with it. :-) -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org