Ethical Dilemma: Proceure to make a Gay person Straight

[Theorist]

Originally Posted by Human No More

Anything should be legal between consenting adults. I don't see the case for anyone wanting to change, but if someone does, then nobody should stop them if it's their decision.

I agree fully here, so long as what those two consenting adults do isn't affecting other non-consenting people in a significant way (which I assume you mean).

But, do you think the engineer has a responsibility to not release a product if they realize the gross potential for misuse? Or is an engineer free from liability after he/she releases their product, and any misuses are not of ethical importance to the engineer professionally?

[Fighter-of-Wars]

Originally Posted by Theorist

But, do you think the engineer has a responsibility to not release a product if they realize the gross potential for misuse? Or is an engineer free from liability after he/she releases their product, and any misuses are not of ethical importance to the engineer professionally?

The engineer shouldn't be liable at all for the misuse. The person who misuses it either accidentally or purposefully is the one to blame. Do we blame all the people run over by cars on those who designed/made the automobile. No, we blame it on the driver. Because they misused it.

But as far as making a gay person straight or vice versa being legal/moral. I think it is and should be. I'm not against gays in anyway shape or form.

The choice is of course of the one asking for the change and no other. Obviously there are many that wouldn't want to change. But I'm willing to bet there are those out there who would. People change things about themselves, small and significant. Whether it be tattoos on their body they carry for the rest of their lives, or experiences that they carry in their mind for the rest of their lives, they all change the way we go about out life.


Sexual orientation, whether it be a genetic trait, something taught to us by parents, or a desire simply driven by hormones, whatever. I think if the choice were available that would be a blessing to some. Others if they don't want it don't have to take it.

Now where Pali said where if it was available to be removed does that say to people that it is less desirable to be gay? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in this case, but if in one case it isn't beautiful, the change would be welcome.

I guess with what I've said explains why I think it should be legal and it isn't morally wrong.

[Theorist]

Well according to the NSPE, engineers are subject to some ethical responsibility regarding how their product is used after it hits the markets. It's like if a company makes a killing off of selling lock picks that will unlock your car in case you lock your keys inside, but it won't set off the car alarm so people don't feel like an idiot for locking their keys in the car. If a company sold a product like that, it can clearly be misused. And if A company did do such a thing, and car break in rates rose, people would be pretty pisssed at the company.

[EywaBlessMe]

Originally Posted by Theorist

Well according to the NSPE, engineers are subject to some ethical responsibility regarding how their product is used after it hits the markets. It's like if a company makes a killing off of selling lock picks that will unlock your car in case you lock your keys inside, but it won't set off the car alarm so people don't feel like an idiot for locking their keys in the car. If a company sold a product like that, it can clearly be misused. And if A company did do such a thing, and car break in rates rose, people would be pretty pisssed at the company.

It was for this very reason that Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, came up with the Nobel Peace Prize for helping mankind rather that better ways of killing.

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Pa'li Makto

The only instances that I can imagine that someone might want to change their orientation is if they have suffered a huge amount of abuse because of it, such as in a school or in a deeply religious or idealistic family. Also if someone who is homosexual is living in a country where homosexuality is illegal and in some case punishable by death and they could be shunned by their whole family that could be another instance where someone would like to change their sexual orientation. EDIT: Although, as previously said, and you could bring use this for your ethics class Theorist: If there is pressure for someone to change like that, then to what degree is choosing to have such a procedure their choice?

I guess then it sounds like in a perfect world, there would be no use at all for this procedure, since your examples were all about outside pressure. I suppose that still doesn't make it unethical, just sad.

[applejuice]

Interestingly, I see that if that ever comes to be, for the people going to it, it would be like admitting that homosexuality was wrong, that it was some kind of decease.

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by applejuice

Interestingly, I see that if that ever comes to be, for the people going to it, it would be like admitting that homosexuality was wrong, that it was some kind of decease.

How bout we let people do what they want and not care why they do it?
If a gay person doesnt wanna be gay cause they think it's wrong, why care?

[applejuice]

We live in a society where we tolerate and accept a certain, tacit, moral code. It influences every day of our life. If something new arises, we immediately evaluate its possible effects on our lives and react according to it. Most will tolerate it, they will say, "ok, it is their lives, so why should we intervene?". Others will be indifferent, "I don't give a damn thing about it" and there will be people that will see a threat and will oppose it. It's always happened and will always happen.

[Ikranosphere]

Have anyone of you seen gay animals ?

[Clarke]

I know there are examples, although I can't find them ATM.

[Unknown]

Originally Posted by Ikranosphere

Have anyone of you seen gay animals ?

This is a famous pair: Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name - NYTimes.com

(I believe they've broken up now, though)

[Ikranosphere]

But I guess it's against the laws of nature. Anyway, it's one's choice but an unwise one. This gay thing can be throwed away, you're not born with it, you grow then you choose it. Issues.

[Human No More]

Sorry, but that's completely wrong.

It's shown there are genetic predispositions, but it also seems to be influenced by chemical variances, childhood and even random chance. Gay people do not 'choose' their orientation any more than straight people 'chose' theirs.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Ikranosphere

But I guess it's against the laws of nature. Anyway, it's one's choice but an unwise one. This gay thing can be throwed away, you're not born with it, you grow then you choose it. Issues.

Soooo, tell us: when did you choose to be straight?

[Ikranosphere]

I am straight. It's not my case. Someone explained it this way on TV long time ago.