Cloning

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The problem with cloning is just how far it will go. It seems logical that if human cloning becomes generally legal then it will be easier for some people to make clones of themselves (legally or illegally) for the purpose of organ transplant material. With genetic manipulation or surgery, it would be easy enough to render the clone virtually brain dead. Just look at it as 'farming for the future'.

 

CLoning an army will not be a viable option until a way to speed the growth of the clone can be attained. Sure, you can clone a bunch of enhanced soldiers, but you still have to wwait for them to grow up....

 

This is true, but there have allready been advancements towards this scenario. Recently scientists started patenting parts of the human genetic code, now tell me if I'm wrong, but how did we ever allow a company to own part of the human body? It's a risk indeed, if a clone is grown in a lab, does it belong to the lab which grew it?

Actually, I think the biggest problem with cloning so far is that the biological age of the clone is duplicated. It's not born that way, but the tellomeres are shortened to the same length. I'm not sure if this means that the aging process is rapid or the lifespan shorter. Either seems unpleasant to endure.

Well, I think I have experienced first hand the bad side of cloning. It seems my other self, who may or may not be the original copy, is MIA.

Perhaps he is secretly planning my demise... I'll have to get him before he can get me!

To the clone-mobile!

 

There's one feature of the human race that will forever be the limiting factor to the extent of the success of cloning: the libido.

People will always be having babies, Huxley aside. Evolution won't be significant;y impacted by cloning.

 

I dont see anything wrong with making a "spare" clone of yourself as long as it doesn't have a working neural system. The research in stem cells make this easier though, as the plan is to just grow the organs.

Yay for libido!

 

Yeh i agree, we should clone, but not make a proper working human from it. I would like those against cloning organs to go up to a heart transplant patient and somehow tell them
"Oh sorry chap, we cant get you a new heart because some of us dont like cloning"
I can presume you wouldnt find it easy.

 

Manus, the lifespan is shortened and telomeres is indeed a great concern in our little genetic world. I'll stay out of this since I know I will get too involved (EDIT; It is some of what I study to try and make a living ),

I'll only note that there are a vast amount of o good medical achievements to be made in cloning and that we don't have to clone an entire human to clone for example a new liver. Abuse is always an option but we would be stuck in the stoneage if we feared the abuse of science more than the advantages, or is that too black and white a view? There will always be someone abusing science legal or not, so isn't it better to work with the conflicts than hide them?

[ January 14, 2004, 17:28: Message edited by: Nobleman ]

 

I am undecided whether it is wrong, or merely not-quite-wrong to transplant an organ. When my mind is made up on that, I shall extend it to cloning.

I still don't think we should breed things solely for our own comfort, to their detriment throughout their short lives makes it twice as wrong. A human with no nerves? That's even worse. For the record I don't like what has happened to farming either.

Frankly, I don't think cloning would save lives. People don't die by accident. If they could not recieve a second chance via an organ, they would have some other problem which could be solved instead.

Many wouldn't agree with that, so please, there is no need to tell me so, belive me I allready know -but from my standing cloning has no benefits and only moral objections.

Besides, there are better ways of solving sickness and injuries. Such as watching the way you live your life more in the first place. Not many cases of serious sickness (used broadly) are derived from accidental injury, and even those which were could often be avoided if the person or persons involved, whether the victim of the accident or not, treated their lives -every aspect of it- with more care and mindfulness, not to mention tried to improve their abilities so that an accident could be avoided. Sure, it could be hard for us all to have kung-fu reflexes, and of course we are hesitant to admit there are many attributes of our lifestyles which are begging to be changed, as resistant as we all seem to be to do so, but in my opinion it is worth it.

I'm not saying to revel in paranoia. If we eat and live healthily, if we have good physical and mental abilities, then we no longer have anything to fear, and there is no need to worry. Seriously. The fact that this coincides with my own beliefs is one of the reasons why I hold those beliefs, because they make so much sense.

But if you (the general and plural term here, as always in my posts) are a meterialist or an atheist, then I suggest that one would at least try to be a pragmatist, for these things have benefits in and of themselves.

However, you do bring up a good point Nobleman. It is unlikely that everyone should take my advice in the near future, and thus it seems humanity could be greatly benefitted by this. I do not agree, but I do agree with your sentiment and your aim, and I can find no fault with any of this based upon those ideals.

 

I'm a big proponant of cloning. I think everyone should have their own Tyra Banks. Ok, maybe just one for me.

 

If you come to La-La land we may even let you.

 

To answer the topic starters original question...

For the last 10 to 15 years, cloning has been an intergral part of most human-beings lives. The antibiotics and drugs that people consume are a direct result of cloning technology. Most of the proteins and enzymes that are to be found in washing powders and surfactants would not be possible without cloning. The advent of recombinant DNA technology and cloning has resulted in more effective research concerning diseases.

Is it good? We would still be sitting in the dark ages without this kind of technology. Medical science has had the greatest boost from this technology and has lead to our understanding of how diseases work and even how to cure them.

Should we clone humans? This is a purely ethical question. However if you are in search of an answer, I think it best to consult with Dolly the sheep to get some perspective.

[ January 15, 2004, 00:52: Message edited by: Human ]

 

@ Death Rabbit

Ah, a good cause for cloning!

I could do with a few Kiera Knightleys myself.