Dogs and Monsters (Stanley Coren)

April 15, 2009 at 9:50 am · Filed under Uncategorized

In an essay entitled “Dogs and Monsters,” Stanley Coren outlines the process of bioengineering dogs to adapt to the current technologies and needs of their human owners. He is currently a professor and director of the Human Neuropsychology and Perception Laboratory at the University of British Columbia.

Coren’s thesis is that the genetic manipulation of dogs over the past 14,000 years demonstrates just how old and harmless an idea bioengineering really is, despite the fears prevalent in media today.

The essay goes on to explain the significant stages of development in the process of breeding dogs. Wolves and jackals initially attracted to the food scraps lying around human camps were tolerated by the inhabitants for their habit of barking when predators or strangers approached. So useful were these barking dogs, that people began breeding the loudest barkers together to produce the ultimate watchdog.

We jump ahead to the end of the fifteenth century, when dogs began being used for hunting and cross-bred for desirable characteristics. Gun technology essentially determined which canine characteristics were most useful – ‘pointers’ (pointed at prey patiently and quietly) when difficult-to-load muskets were in vogue, setters (located prey quickly and indicated its proximity by tail-wagging) as weapons technology improved, and retrievers (bred to wait and retrieve only) as hunters began simply waiting for quarry to come to them. Pointers, setters, and retrievers became known as ‘gun dogs.’

We have genetically-engineered dogs over the past 14,000 years in order to increase their usefulness to us. As Thomas writes, “typically, humans had tailored machines to suit organisms. With dogs, they began modifying an organism to fit a machine [i.e. guns].”

I liked this essay – especially its title, ‘Dogs and Monsters.’ It draws attention to the stark contrast between the reality and perception of bioengineering (whether it’s food, animals, or people), something that needs to be done really. However, I’d be curious to know whether genetic engineering and selective breeding are really the same thing. Although Dr. Coren’s field isn’t genetics, his point is well-taken and refreshing. We need more scientists speaking up in defense of this issue to counter the ignorance that is being spread in the media, by the likes of Prince Charles (quoted as saying that genetic engineering “takes us into areas that should be left to God”) and other persons completely unqualified to give opinions on scientific matters.

Dogs and Monsters – Rhetorical Strategies

Coren unifies the introduction and conclusion of his essay in a way that enforces his thesis. The first line of the essay is “Today’s headlines routinely raise fears about genetic engineering,” but he finishes with the statement that 14,000 years of genetic manipulation of dogs has resulted in a “little white beast who is right now gently snoring with his head resting against my foot.” The danger and novelty of genetic engineering is effectively downplayed.

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