"However, when we start talking about the possibility of forcible sterilization to control a defective gene, which, by the way, can be controlled, be it with an exercise plan, surgery, etc., we are taking the concept of "protecting society from itself" way, way, WAY too far."

This would most definately be going way, way too far. If they do this then they might as well start doing it to any and everyone who do not measure up to the ideal of the "it" generation!

"I believe, an alarming misconception that people who tip the scales cannot be active, or athletic, or happy. I'm not trying to refute the overwhelming medical evidence, because I agree that obesity poses a health risk."

I agree with you and it's definately not saying there's no health risk for people who are obese but there are people who are heavy and very active.

If they do this then they might as well start doing it to any and everyone who do not measure up to the ideal of the "it" generation!

While I did think of the possibility of this to degenerate into complete genetic engineering to fit a preset sociall acceptable model of a human being, I did not mention it in my article because I believe the proposition has a built in defense: It can point to the obesity gene threatening the well-being of our future, which can't really be done with the other genetic anomalies that I mentioned.

Nevertheless, there is always a danger of politicians, or politically motivated doctors, to abuse a measure such as this for their own personal gains, and so I feel this line of thought is still valid in this case.

Personal responsibility is still alive somewhere, probably cold, hungry, and injured. Hopefully, we can find it before it's too late.

Personal responsibility? No it's your fault that I am the way that I am! ..

There are two insidous concepts at work here. Bigotry and Money.

Just another example of how it's ok to hate some people, and still be able to lie about being "open minded".

There was a dark time in our history that we sterilized "undesireables"; well it looks like the bigots of the country are at it again. This time instead of openly admitting to hatred, they are masking it with "medical" or "genetic" pathetic excuses.

The money aspect began when we started expecting others to pay the bills for our medical treatment. We have established a reality where ALL our healthcare is paid for by someone else. Insurance is expected to pay for everything. Not only don't we pay for our healthcare, but we turn to our employers to pay for the coverage. So much so, that most arguments I hear or read about the topic equate healthcare coverage with healthcare itself.

The only reason anyone would accept government control of any healthcare is that we have already started insisting they take care of us in other aspects of our care. "I'm too weak, frail and pathetic to do it on my own."

So, now, in the name of cleaning the gene pool, we have come full circle. Except, of course, when it was discovered that the government was sterilizing Black men agaisnt their will before, it was stopped. Now it is all but welcomed.

If this happens where do we stop? People with bad teeth? bad eyesight? bad lungs? to tall? to short? anorexic? bulimic? sighhhhhhhhh death is starting to look better and better all the time.


elie

Wow. This is just... stupid. And depressing. Sure, obesity is bad, but not nearly bad enough to treat the obese as some sort of defect on society.

There was a dark time in our history that we sterilized "undesireables"; well it looks like the bigots of the country are at it again. This time instead of openly admitting to hatred, they are masking it with "medical" or "genetic" pathetic excuses.

True. I decided to give the article the benefit of the doubt and not raise the genetic engineering point, but the thought did cross my mind.

Remember that movie with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman..can't think of the name? Was it Gothica? Anyway, it was about genetics and who is the perfect human, being up there in the perfect world, having all the cool stuff, job, etc. I would hate to see our society become like that. Warped, really warped! But you give these people an inch, and allow them to take liberties, where will they stop and when will it end? Nobody knows...

I didn't know that Hitler was alive and living in California.......

I also was not aware that they have proved genetics to be the problem.....couldn't it just be that we eat too much and don't get enough physical activity?  Wait...it can't be the individuals fault...I forgot....

I blame my weight on nobody but myself.  I have an autoimmune disease and no longer have a thyroid, yet I know it is what I feed myself and my love of my couch that causes my weight problem.  I guess I must be unique   

Dr. Mengele would be proud of the Caliphoneyans. They don't want real people, they want freaks who can fit in with all the rest of the 'thin is good' BS that is spreading like peanut butter over rye. Maybe there should be mandatory health and fitness programmes instead, but that would be too much like hard work.

 

I didn't know that Hitler was alive and living in California.......

What's especially interesting is that leftists (who virtually rule California) call conservatives Nazis. Such a suggestion could have come direct from the blueprints of the Third Reich.

Maybe there should be mandatory health and fitness programmes instead, but that would be too much like hard work.

Or maybe, just maybe, we should stop insisting that the GOVERNMENT knows what's best for us. Even the idea of MANDATORY health and fitness programs is anathema to liberty.

Yes, health and fitness is a good idea, but the only justification for making it mandatory would be the concept that we are the property of the state, which is a concept imbedded in socialist and feudal ideas, and NOT in any way consistent with a democracy.

Remember that movie with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman..can't think of the name? Was it Gothica? Anyway, it was about genetics and who is the perfect human, being up there in the perfect world, having all the cool stuff, job, etc. I would hate to see our society become like that. Warped, really warped! But you give these people an inch, and allow them to take liberties, where will they stop and when will it end? Nobody knows...

It's Gattaca. Gothica is the one with Halle Berry.

I blame my weight on nobody but myself.  I have an autoimmune disease and no longer have a thyroid, yet I know it is what I feed myself and my love of my couch that causes my weight problem.  I guess I must be unique

Self-responsibility? Do not dare speak of such hateful concepts!

I just don't understand when obesity became such a problem. I mean I'm not saying it's not a problem, but it never crossed my mind that obesity is such a problem that sterility would seem like the solution.

Woah! atleast we know who the fat ppl of joeuser are now

Woah! atleast we know who the fat ppl of joeuser are now

Boy, you really know how to add to a conversation.  Considering the "wit" involved, I assume you are about 13- otherwise, that would be too pathetic.....

Woah! atleast we know who the fat ppl of joeuser are now

Well, I am not obese, but one doesn't have to be fat to see how awful it is to treat the obese as some sort of subhuman group of defects. I mean, so what if they're unhealthy. Some of the most unhealthy people live long happy lives!