The value of Flowerhorns

[Nickintex]

With genetic engineering, the possibilities are limitless. How about a giant squid with a great white shark? Or a mosquito and a gorilla?

[OrandaMan]

Well, I think calling it artificial life might be going a bit far. Also, one might argue that as humans have become so influential on nature (we are so numerous, we wouldn't be able to prevent that completely), that helping certain animals adopt traits that help them live with us more easily isn't such a bad thing. I still think we go too far at times, but I think it's a fine line that we can avoid crossing if we try.

[Nickintex]

WHAT is the human way?

Artificial life Vs Natural life.

[OrandaMan]

I hear ya, Mzungu. But I have to say that I don't mind mules so much, because they don't have any deformities that harm them. I got to take care of a mule once and he and I became good friends. He was still an ornery jerk, though, lol.

But, for instance, if you want to hear about terrible practices in unnatural hybrids, read about white tigers. All white tigers in this country come from the same two specimens brought over here around seventy years ago. They are all inbred and those beautiful ones you see in zoos and onstage and the like are the minority. Most of them are deformed in some way, but people don't display those.

[Mzungu]

It's the human way!

WHAT is the human way?

[Nickintex]

Yes.

You know, I think we humans just need to learn to appreciate what's here now. Not try to modify everything to suit our needs. Spoken like a true hypocrite, I know...but this subject brings out so many emotions in me that there are only so many posts that I can read until I HAVE to say something. :)

Anyways...

It's the human way!

[Mzungu]

To clarify, though, I do NOT think that mules have any less of a right to life than any "natural" ungulate. Nor do I think that hybrids or any other type of man-altered animal need be destroyed. I just wish it had never happened in the first place. Do I love dogs? Absolutely.

Like I said: Anyways... Sorry to get off topic. :(

[Mzungu]

Mules are hybrids. So are they "wrong" too?

Yes.

You know, I think we humans just need to learn to appreciate what's here now. Not try to modify everything to suit our needs. Spoken like a true hypocrite, I know...but this subject brings out so many emotions in me that there are only so many posts that I can read until I HAVE to say something. :)

Anyways...

[Rico]

its more like the outrageous prices on cross bred dogs with new names. maltipoo, bullweiler, chiweenie, pom-a-pug, and all those other crazy names you see people trying to profit from. its mostly propaganda and BS. it doesnt cost more to breed them or raise them. they just look at it as a way to get money and some people are willing to pay for it.

[Nickintex]

Mules are hybrids. So are they "wrong" too?

[OrandaMan]

Yeah, you're right. I wasn't really thinking of that. The thing is, though, that separate species or not, it's controlled breeding that creates them. I personally feel that the requirement that two animals be able to breed keeps them categorized as the same species is outdated and maybe a little arbitrary. There already plenty of species that can interbreed and are nonetheless considered different species. In the case of goldfish, I can see the leaving them the same as carp because when released to the wild, their future generations return to carp form anyway. But I think the concept is the same.

[Rico]

I wasn't aware an oranda was a hybrid...aren't all the goldfish mutations of the same species?

not hybrids just alot of years of breeding for size shape and color

[marauder_77868]

And I know all dogs are the same species...not hybrids

[marauder_77868]

I wasn't aware an oranda was a hybrid...aren't all the goldfish mutations of the same species?

[Rico]

So how much of the price is reflected by the cost of development/breeding, and how much of it is the marketing propaganda?

10% for breeding and raising
50% propaganda
40% BS

if you are lucky some dont factor the BS so you get them cheaper.