[net.origins] Comments about SOR Pamphlet #4: Humans & Chimps

urban@spp2.UUCP (12/19/84)

I seem to recall a quote in an issue of Newsweek that dealt
with evolution a couple of years ago in which an evolutionist
remarked upon the genetic similarity between chimps and humans.
One quote in particular sticks in my mind: observing that it
would probably be possible to cross the two species, he
added that "it is difficult to imagine an experiment that is
at the same time as scientifically interesting and morally
repugnant."  I may still have the article at home, and I'll
try to hunt up the exact quote.

	Mike

blossom@dspo.UUCP (12/22/84)

> I seem to recall a quote in an issue of Newsweek that dealt
> with evolution a couple of years ago in which an evolutionist
> remarked upon the genetic similarity between chimps and humans.
> One quote in particular sticks in my mind: observing that it
> would probably be possible to cross the two species, he
> added that "it is difficult to imagine an experiment that is
> at the same time as scientifically interesting and morally
> repugnant."  I may still have the article at home, and I'll
> try to hunt up the exact quote.
> 
> 	Mike


"I demand of you, and of the whole world, that you show me a generic 
character ... by which to distinguish between Man and Ape. I myself
most assuredly know of none. I wish somebody would indicate one to
me. But, if I had called man an ape, or visa versa, I would have 
fallen under the ban of all the ecclesiastics. It may be that as a
naturalist I ought to have done so. "
Carl Linnaeus    .... 1788   .... founder of taxonomy
Darwin also thought of the idea of speciation as an artificial distinction
applied by man, and described the process as a continuum.
j. blossom LANL