Public service announcement

[liv]

DNA sequencing is not magic.

Thankyou.

This comment prompted by a combination of:
– an otherwise good novel in which the simple fact of sequencing the human genome, described in mystical terms, is enough to propel the world into an SF future.
– a death penalty debate where it is suggested that now we have DNA evidence, we can execute people in good conscience.
– general frustration with scientific illiteracy.

I shall now return to my regularly scheduled thesis writing (in which sequencing DNA does not magically solve any problems, and in many cases does not in fact give any useful information about biology.)

Comments

[neonchameleon.livejournal.com]

And it's a factor of general scientific illiteracy, because someone with a basic grounding in science would have a better understanding what 'natural' means.

Cake is a made up drug. Made up out of chemicals.

Or maybe it is, I don't know, if you think science is basically magic, you maybe just feel like you're picking between two different magics, the magic of science and the magic of 'naturalness'

I think that's how many think. I know that a number of creationists certainly think that way.

And in the magical realm there is room for holding unjustifiable faith that one type of magic is inherently superior to another.

No there isn't- it's just that the understanding of the word "justifiable" is somewhat different.

[darcydodo]

Cake is a made up drug. Made up out of chemicals.

Cake is made out of flour and eggs and hopefully chocolate. What are you talking about? ;)