From Wolves to Pitbulls: Reflections on Genetic Manipulation and Humanity’s Power Over Nature

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A Journey That Brings Reflections

Traveling without a rigid plan often leads to the most profound encounters. On this leg of my journey, a visit to Santa Catarina, Brazil, brought both breathtaking beauty and a life-altering confrontation. What began as a serene walk to an "enchanted waterfall" with my friend's dogs turned into a harrowing experience that forced me to reflect deeply on humanity's manipulation of nature, our power, and the consequences of our choices.

A Peaceful Community with a Shadowed Encounter

In Santa Catarina, Brazil, I stayed with an extraordinary woman in her 60s, whom I first met in Spain years ago. Today, she presides over 33 hectares of sustainable paradise—a hidden haven in southern Brazil and a model for community living. Walking her dogs in this serene setting felt like a reunion with nature, a moment of connection that seemed untouched by the chaos of the outside world.

But on December 16th, 2024, this tranquility was shattered. An abandoned pit bull emerged from the shadows, attacking Smokey, one of her beloved dogs. Its jaws locked around his neck, refusing to let go.

This wasn’t my first encounter with such a situation—it was the third time I’ve had to intervene in a pit bull or Staffordshire attack. Each experience has left me shaken, heart racing, and trembling with helpless rage. No matter the strength or determination, prying open the unyielding grip of a dog bred for aggression is a harrowing ordeal.

The aftermath is always the same—blood, trembling hands, and a sense of profound disturbance. Unlike the creatures of the wild, which coexist within the balance of nature, these dogs are products of human manipulation, bred not for survival or harmony but for aggression and control. Their behavior mirrors the darker side of humanity's impact on the natural world.

The Origins of Dogs: A Genetic Journey

Dogs trace their genetic roots to wolves—majestic and wild. Over millennia, humans domesticated wolves, shaping them into companions and work animals. But somewhere along the way, we crossed a line, selectively breeding for traits that serve ego, aggression, or aesthetics, often at the expense of the animals' health and nature’s balance.

This manipulation mirrors what we’ve done in agriculture. Consider the genetic modifications of crops like corn, stripped of its natural defense against pests, only to be “re-engineered” later at a massive cost to biodiversity and human health. These shortsighted interventions have cascading effects on ecosystems, contributing to pollinator declines, soil depletion, and increased human diseases.

The Consequences of Playing God

What does it say about humanity that we’ve taken the purity of a wolf and shaped it into a killing machine, or manipulated corn to the brink of ecological collapse? These choices, often driven by power and control, highlight our hubris. Nature always reclaims balance, but not without suffering.

Ecofeminism: A Collaborative Approach to Power

This reflection brings me back to ecofeminism, which seeks a collaborative relationship with nature rather than a dominant one. Just as flowers and insects co-evolve to support one another, we must strive for symbiosis—a balance rooted in respect, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Ecofeminism offers a lens through which we can reimagine our relationship with the world, emphasizing compassion, collaboration, and co-creation over domination.

A Call for Conscious Creation

From this random life event, I am reminded that every choice we make has ripples. What we breed, build, or seed around us shapes the world in profound ways. Let us wield our creative power with consciousness, for the sake of all life, not just our own desires.

Take a Moment to Reflect

How do you see humanity’s power over nature—necessary evolution or reckless control?

What actions can you take to ensure your impact on the world aligns with a philosophy of co-evolution?

How might we shift toward a more collaborative and respectful relationship with nature?

"Let's do it, but let's do it consciously, for the sake of ALL life."



Some scientific references and extra readings

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140116190137.htm

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/selective-breeding-in-fighting-dogs/A65BA6AAF9DC2C4580DA7C0341479DBD#

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