From: Unleesh-AT-aol.com
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 05:23:43 EST
Subject: sanity and sanitation


If I understand correctly, the transporter in Star Trek has on record the DNA
code of every crew member, and thus medically filters out anything beaming in
which isn't a part of the person's DNA code.

Ok, what about the mitochondria, which have different genetics? (Ok, let's
assume the transporter takes those into account...) What about the bacterial
flora? What about eye mites living in eyelashes? What about organisms all over
and throughout the body?

Question : does the transporter therefore create an entirely "Sanitized Body",
completely antiseptic in every way?

Question : could a human body survive thusly antisepticized? Can the Sanitized
Body live? What happens if you remove all intestinal flora? Can the body
absorb nutrients, get rid of waste, etc.?

How much of our concepts of sanity have to do with sanitation, this ideal of
the total Sanitized Body, purified, made "totally clean", One Code functioning
throughout?

This question of the transporter to me reveals that even what we consider to
be "my" body is a relation of autonomous forces in tandem...