Judson Cox, December 1, 2003

An unholy combination of liberal social engineering and a mistaken interpretation of Christian charity is the second greatest threat to humanity. The greatest threat is Islamic fascism, whether it is advanced by terrorists or governments. The second is more subtle; well meaning, misguided idealists are using the powers of government to subvert natural selection. This column will not address the origin of life or species, which evolution cannot adequately explain.

Natural selection is the process through which species adapt to changes in environment. Superior species survive and reproduce, passing on genetic traits best suited to their environment. Inferior species lack adaptability and eventually become extinct. It is the survival of the fittest. Our environment is in constant flux; it produces ice ages, warm periods and changes in weather patterns. Our ability to thrive in various climates and even our skin pigmentation and body types are due to natural selection. Bacteria and viruses adapt and mutate as well, producing new diseases that can devastate populations; our immunities to diseases are the result of natural selection. Man is not excluded from the laws of nature; superior species must adapt even to the influence of man.

Interconnectivity is exaggerated. Dinosaurs were once the dominant species; their mass extinction did not threaten all life on earth; to the contrary, it enabled the prosperity of mammals. To measure the impact of an extinction, one must ask what other species eat the endangered animal with exclusivity. For instance, few species fed exclusively upon woolly mammoths or saber toothed tigers; their extinction had little impact. Similarly, the extinction of whales, manatees, spotted owls, eagles and alligators may be a loss from an aesthetic view but would have little negative effect on other species. Likewise, more common animals are not indispensable. If dogs, cats, horses, etc. became extinct, it would not imperil life on earth. Even if cows were to suddenly disappear, humans who rely on cows for food might switch to venison or chicken for meat and goats for milk, we would not starve - we would adapt.

The giant panda cannot adapt; its diet consists mainly (99%) of 9 varieties of bamboo. The panda requires a minimum of 26 - 33 lbs. of bamboo per day. Bamboo is becoming less available and pandas are nearing extinction.

Fortunes are being spent to save the panda - why? No species requires panda meat for survival. The panda is an inferior species. In his folly, man is resorting to cloning to defy the laws of nature under the banner of protecting nature.

As the science of cloning progresses it will be increasingly employed to preserve not only rare animals, but particularly admirable specimens (such as show dogs) and even humans. A clone is an exact genetic copy of an existing organism. Cloning halts evolution and subverts natural selection. Absent gradual adaptation, species cannot survive environmental changes. Clones would perish when faced with an ice age or a new disease. Such mass extinction would have catastrophic consequences, as non-cloned species would not have the opportunity to adapt to the absence. Well meaning do-gooders could endanger all life on earth.

Similarly, social programs that minimize the negative consequences of human actions imperil our society. One learns what not to do through discomfort, for instance learning not to touch a hot stove by burning one’s hand. An 800 lb. woman was reported last week to have been unable to fit through the doorways of her public housing in Cleveland. A dozen firemen were required to remove her from her bedroom and transport her to the hospital. Taxpayers will now be required to build her new housing with doorways adequate for her girth, in addition to continuing to pay for her food, medical care, safety and all other needs. Such sloth is a flaw inherent to human nature, but a few generations ago it would not have been tolerated. She would have had to adapt to become a productive citizen or perish. She has become a giant panda.

Governmental social programs that protect the stupid, subsidize the lazy and coddle criminals are producing a society of giant pandas. If we continue to embrace this subversion of natural law, our nation will soon suffer the same fate as the panda. Don’t save the whales, save yourself!

Judson Cox is a political columnist from the mountains of North Carolina. He is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most popular and influential voices of his generation. As a college student, and a young entrepreneur, he has a unique perspective on matters of politics, economics and culture.

Copyright © 2003 Judson Cox