ESC, Biotech, Hitler and Slavery?

I will always be the first to admit that I have no idea what I'm talking about, so why can't everyone just be that way? Honestly.

So, I'm in a Biotechnology class this semester. It basically sucks the joy out of my soul... but, at least I've figured out why. 

I've never been a science person. When I was in high school, I took my science courses through my homeschool curriculum. Basically, I "studied" for the tests as I was taking them. So, all-in-all, my high school science education was a complete zero.

For some unknown reason, VU believes that all students need to take 2 natural science courses in order to be a "well-rounded" individual. So, I of course, take the easiest course possible... which is, biotechnology. I knew right from the beginning that I would hate it. 

Over the last two weeks, we have reviewed the multiple forms of contraception, the male and female reproductive systems, cloning, embryonic stem cells vs. adult stem cells, in vitro fertilization, designer children, and the list goes on. Everything's fine... well, extremely awkward, but fine... until today. (My bio prof. is not exactly the person I want to be getting "the talk" from, if you know what I mean). 

He starts in on amnioscentisis and CVS as methods for prenatal screening for genetic diseases (read: so the parents can make an informed decision on whether to abort the fetus or not). Again, fine. I realize that that is his opinion, so I can just accept it, and move on. But, I can't. He mentions that we can have this type of an analysis done on ourselves so we will know how unfavorable our gene makeup is (read: so "we" (the scientists and the government) can decide whether "I" am fit for reproductive purposes or not). I get the impression (both from the statements he's making, and what he's intimating by them) that not only does he believe this is a good thing, but that it would actually make humanity better. Through this process, humanity can weed out the "weak" members of the species, creating a better, stronger species by eliminating all the fetuses with "bad" genomes. 

Hitler anyone? How about the slave traders? Slave owners? How about the current euthenasia debates going on? Or, any other type of debate where the actual humanity of a person is up for debate. 

I just don't understand how people like my Bio prof. can be that complacent about life. How can they treat it as though it is something that will always be around, or will always take place. How can they not value the individuality of any one person. I don't know... it's late, and I'm tired. So... maybe I'll finish my thoughts tomorrow.

On an up note, Michael comes tomorrow. And... I can't wait.