We have been docking lambs tails for over 2000 years but the little so-and-sos still insist on growing them. The process of passing aquired characteristics ( like muscles, computer skills or a nicely shaven head ) is called Lamarckian evolution ( good link ->
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/lamarck.html ) but, for the most part, it doesn't exist. It
may be possible to pass on aquired immune reponses but the jury is still out on that.
I have another question - supose we do develop a
non venomous RBBS - what then? We will have a population where, say, 50% of the animals are venomous and 50% aren't. A pair of non-venomous RBBS may not bred true, say 90% non-vemonous and 10% venomous. To me it is a recipe for disaster
and I think we should not even think about going down that path.
