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Comment by procgen | Hacker News Reader

It's illegal because it threatens the viability and health of native populations of animals.

Sheep aren't native to the US. Doesn't the entire species threaten the viability and health of native populations because it is competing for resources that native animals could be consuming? I don't see how having a new type of sheep is a step too far.

The problem is that we don't (as far as I know) have the tools or knowledge on how to accurately assess the impact. So, the more conservative option of "don't mess with it" makes sense here, considering that other species' introductions to other ecosystems have been disastrous.

Ummm, no. The species of bighorn sheep native to the Rocky Mountains is scientifically referred to as Ovis canadensis canadensis. This is one of several subspecies of bighorn sheep, distinguished by its habitat, physical characteristics, and behavior, adapted to the rugged terrain and climate of the Rocky Mountains stretching from Canada to the southwestern United States.

I'd reframe to portray that it hasn't been approved to do so by a regulatory body like the EPA, or else GM mosquitoes [1] wouldn't exist.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/community/em...

The genetic modifications were classified as a biocontrol or pesticide, allowing them fall under the existing EUP process. I wonder whether showing that these sheep were being used to control a local crop pest would qualify them as a technical argument? :D

people spent so many years and money try to reduce diseases from mosquito. you just say they are same as this random guy who introduced invade species for fun.

hahaha

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