In a recent posting Edward Lipinski (The Champion of Truth from Ferret Joy
Land) brought up a subject that not too many of us are thinking about.  That
subject is the effect that neutering (and spaying) have on the on-going
process of domestication of the ferret.
 
Most of us realise that domestication is an on-going process and that one
tiny "drop" of domestication genoneme passes from the parent generation,
F1, to the offspring generation, F2.  No one knows how long and how many
transfers of genetic material it takes through thousands and possible
millions of F1 to F2 transfers to moderate behavior from wildness to
gentleness, or as we call it, domestication.
 
Some may equate domestication to evolution, in so far that only those
creatures that are friendly towards us are kept and nurtured and thereby
reproduce at a greater rate than the creatures more wild brethern.  (For
example the native American black footed ferret, which is now an endangered
species.) In effect the pressure to evolve is slightly greater for the
desired creature than it is for the undesired creature, and hence, over
time, more of the desired creatures procreate, survive, and absorb
behavioral traits we as humans imprint upon them.
 
It's like a "Survival of the Fit," where we define "Fit" to suit our desires
and needs.  Did not man do this with the wolf?
 
Are we doing this with the ferret?  For the most part: No.  As long as
exists Marshall Farms and their production of millions of butchered ferrets,
then at their front door, domestication/evolution comes to a grinding halt.
Likewise, the American Ferret Association, in their understandable, but
notoriously flawed philosophy of required neutering and spaying, are
essentially coconspirators in the devolution, the de-domestication of the
ferret.
 
It may very well be, that in the hands of responsible breeders, there and
only there can any possibility of further domestication of the ferret occur.
So, can we simplify this by concluding that purchasers of Marshall Farms
ferrets are essentially traitors to the ferret, and continued purchases of
these non-productive ferrets are without a doubt, bringing further
domestication of the ferret to an abrupt halt?  Really?  Can we say this
with some degree of truth?
 
Lastly, how many of you even give a damn?
 
Edward, Der Wahrheitskaempe von Frettchenvergnuegenland dabei, Lipinski
[Posted in FML issue 2376]