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Posted by Gerry Binczik on September 20, 2002 at 09:57:09:
In Reply to: Re: What about the genetic aspects? posted by K.E. on September 20, 2002 at 08:35:16:
It's not a matter of personal feelings, hurt or otherwise, but of defending one's profession from malicious rumors. Such rumors need not be directed at any particular person in the profession to hurt EVERYONE in the profession, and for you to pretend otherwise ("If you are a hard working honest scientist...") is ridiculous. As I said in the beginning, there are few enough rewards for being a scientist and more than enough people spewing nonsense about what terrible people scientists are that I see no reason to sit quietly while someone makes serious but totally unsubstantiated accusations against unnamed people in the profession in a public forum.
For the record, I am not involved in the genetic testing of herps or any other animals. Nor am I knowingly defending any family members, friends or even acquaintances involved in such work. All the less reason for me to take any of this personally, as you wish to portray me doing. (And all the less reason for me to render an opinion on the subject matter which prompted your misbehavior, for that matter.) What I am protesting is your uncivil and unjust behavior toward people in the scientific profession. Period.
And I never said I was trying to make you a better person (you've a bad habit of putting words in people's mouths to further your own arguments, too). I said you could take my criticism of your misbehavior as such, if you like.
Do you REALLY want my opinion on the subject matter? On the off chance that you do, and weren't simply using that as an excuse for attacking me, here goes: As a scientist not in that particular field, I believe that genetic testing of animals of uncertain origin can be invaluable in determining their origin. It can provide perhaps the best available evidence of such, in fact, far superior to anyone's personal testimony. But I am not aware that the techniques/background information have yet been developed adequately for the particular animals in question here to be examined in this fashion. Nor do I think they will be any time soon, as there are far more pressing needs for that technology and expertise. But I repeat I am no expert in this field, and I could readily be wrong about what's currently available.
Gerry
gbin@zoo.ufl.edu
