Mad scientist, Genetic Engineering, Playing God, Blah, Blah, Blah.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I agree, but it seems that Mike is trying to make it seem that many breeders are above using other techniques other than altering the "naturally occurring traits".

Close.

I am saying that all I am doing is selectively breeding naturally occurring traits. This by definition is NOT genetic engineering. I absolutely believe that many breeders "are above" resorting to the use of science to alter the naturally occurring traits. I for one think it would be flat out wrong to do, and would look down on anyone who did it.

Injecting a snakes embo with something to make the snakes glow in the dark... THAT would be an example of being a mad scientist or genetic engineering or playing god. THAT IMHO would be crossing the line... doing something we have no right to do. That deserves the use of terms such as mad scientist, genetic engineering, playing god, ect.

Putting a Pastel ball python with a spider ball python to make a python that exibits both the traits of the spider AND the pastel is mearly selective breeding, using ingredients that nature itself has provided. I feel very strongly that people making bumble bees should never be refferred to as a mad scientist or playing god ect.