Is the word "handicapped" offensive?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

Hey now, most of us are!

Also, it wouldn't be a phenotype if it was an acquired disability, like being in a wheelchair as a result of a car accident. I need to look this kid up...

I'll take your word on the phenotype since I'm pretty weak with the biological sciences. Then again this is the same idiot who had no idea what coined meant. The editor should have put a disclaimer that the letter wasn't edited in any way.

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I'll take your word on the phenotype since I'm pretty weak with the biological sciences. Then again this is the same idiot who had no idea what coined meant. The editor should have put a disclaimer that the letter wasn't edited in any way.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but genotype is the gene for something and phenotype is the actual expression of the gene. As in, the gene for blue eyes is a genotype, and the actual eyes being blue is the phenotype.

So if someone had the genes for a disabling chronic condition, their disability would be a phenotype... but if they were physically or mentally handicapped as a result of an accident, that has nothing to do with their genes and is NOT a phenotype.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but genotype is the gene for something and phenotype is the actual expression of the gene. As in, the gene for blue eyes is a genotype, and the actual eyes being blue is the phenotype.

So if someone had the genes for a disabling chronic condition, their disability would be a phenotype... but if they were physically or mentally handicapped as a result of an accident, that has nothing to do with their genes and is NOT a phenotype.

According to wikipedia , the phenotype is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. So something like poisoning would count, but I don't know about trauma.

[ASTalumna06]

I have never heard of the word "handicapped" being offensive... at least not to the point where it would warrant this type of response. I mean, how many times have you heard the term "disabled parking?" I'm guessing not that many, if at all.

I actually looked up the origin of the word, and Snopes gives a very detailed response.

http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/handicap.asp

Kind of interesting, actually.