12/12/08 It should have been a snowday

In the article, Will Stem Cells Finally Deliver, researchers announce new findings with stem cell research. The article announces that scientists have discovered 2 different ways to alter stems without creating an embryo. The first way, is by created iPS cells, clone cells, which can be created using adult cells. These cells than can be alterted, and re-inserted into the body to perform the tasks that the original cells could not do. The other way, is a complete breakthrough in scientific study. A researcher at harvard discovered that instead of creating clone cells and altering them, that he could simply alter the cells already within the body. His research proved positive when he altered the cells in mice that (because of the modifications) cured type one diabetes in the mouse.

Keeping this article in mind, I would like to raise the question of should mankind even be taking this so far? At what point do we stop trying to change or prevent nature? Does Darwins theory of natural selection still apply? Should it? Will this new technology be used only for medical purposes, or will we start choosing our own genetic modifications? Does of all mankind have a right to perfect themselves to live a longer life? And, to take a point of of view from silence dogood, when do we stop trying to prolong life and start trying to enhance our quality of life?