Ethics of Hybrids

BTW, I found the photo of the chondro x carpet on yahoo. The photo was linked to: www.reptileforums.co.uk/about251.html

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Personally, I don't like it when people try to make hybrids and will never even think of owning one unless I am rescuing one.

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It isn't my place to judge people for things such as this. I see no problem with it as long as there are no health issues. I just think it is everyone's personal decision they have to make, and it doesn't affect me so whatever decision people make is alright with me.

My opinion on this topic is, that if the ranges of 2 species of pythons naturally overlap and they are willing to breed together, then it is acceptable. On the other hand, a BP and a Blood should not hybridize, in my opinion, especially if the female of either species is artificially inseminated.

I didn't say that I don't like people who do it. I said I don't like when they do it.

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Originally Posted by _BoidFinatic_

My opinion on this topic is, that if the ranges of 2 species of pythons naturally overlap and they are willing to breed together, then it is acceptable. On the other hand, a BP and a Blood should not hybridize, in my opinion, especially if the female of either species is artificially inseminated.

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Exactly. I should've have mentioned intergrades, but I don't really count those as hybrids.

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Originally Posted by Dread

So here is the growing Python Hybrid list in the common language:
Ball x Angolan
Ball x Short-tails (Borneo and Sumatra)
Reticulated x Burmese
Burmese x Rock
Ball x Woma
Carpet x Woma
Jungle Carpet x Macklot's
Coastal Carpet x Macklot's
Jungle Carpet x Green Tree (Chondros)
Irian Jaya Carpet x Green Tree (Chondros)

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You missed 50% Diamond x Jungle
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33...lexdiamond.jpg

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Originally Posted by Maki

You missed 50% Diamond x Jungle

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I'm not that interested in the sub-species hybridizations, but yes, the Carpet Pythons have all been hybridized together. The cross genera hybridizations are the really fascinating ones!

And bpkid and Boidfinatic, do you have anything other than opinions to contribute to the hybridization discussion? The thread is titled "Ethics of Hybrids" and while the discussion didn't delve deeply into the deontological or axiological ethics of the human actions of creating hybrids, please feel free to treat us with your reasoned musings on this topic.

For example, what makes geographical convenience of hybridization "better" than human-facilitated pairings of different snake species? What geographical ranges are we talking here? Current? Evolutionary? Pre-mankind?

And what makes artificial insemination morally "worse" than snakes mating themselves? Is the technique offensive to your sensibilities? Is the fact that it is behaviour and not physiology that prevents viable off-spring bothersome?

You see, crudely stated opinions on ethical matters can be very dangerous. Without thinking about what you say, and backing it up with examples you will 1) be torn apart by those who can present justifications for their positions, and 2) find that your opinions can be connected to very offensive ideologies.

Well I haven't read this thread and assumed it was asking for opinions. Which the poll asks for. I stated mine, and I sure hope nobody was offended.

Why mess up a perfectly good snake's bloodline to make something that's not supposed to happen?

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Why mess up a perfectly good snake's bloodline to make something that's not supposed to happen?

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You mean like making a Killer Bee? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Dread

And bpkid and Boidfinatic, do you have anything other than opinions to contribute to the hybridization discussion? The thread is titled "Ethics of Hybrids" and while the discussion didn't delve deeply into the deontological or axiological ethics of the human actions of creating hybrids, please feel free to treat us with your reasoned musings on this topic.

For example, what makes geographical convenience of hybridization "better" than human-facilitated pairings of different snake species? What geographical ranges are we talking here? Current? Evolutionary? Pre-mankind?

And what makes artificial insemination morally "worse" than snakes mating themselves? Is the technique offensive to your sensibilities? Is the fact that it is behaviour and not physiology that prevents viable off-spring bothersome?

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Why intervene with the natural breeding habits of the specimens? If their current ranges don't overlap, then it obviously wouldn't occur naturally. Would these animals serve a purpose in their ecosystem the way they are? In the case of regius x brongersmai, how is the nature of one snake compatible withg the other? Are the ball's lungs meant to handle high humidity ranges? A majority of balls occur in the western deserts of Africa where humidity doesn't exceed semi-arid levels. Other than this example, there may be numerous complications with hybridizing two unlike species.