Well, Now What? (Cloning)

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Over the past decade, experimentation with genetics has evolved far beyond what we could've imagined twenty years ago. The idea of cloning is really frikken scary if you ask me. I know it's been around for some years now, but what is your opinion of it. Do you think it is more harmful or helpful?

 

I think the world would be a much better place with forty or fifty of me around!!!

But seriously, it is crazy to think that someone could take a strand of hair from your brush and make a clone without your knowledge.

But doesn't the clone turn out to be as old as the specimen they clone? So technically the child that would be cloned from my dna stuff would have 30 year old genes...I think I read about that somewhere....

[This message has been edited by Sir Belisarius (edited June 18, 2001).]

 

I dont think so Bel, I mean when you clone a creature, you create the infant that has to be raised just like any other kid, a kinda of delayed clone I guess you could call it.

I'm not sure though..

[This message has been edited by Darien Noella (edited July 07, 2001).]

 

Personally, I think science has been asking the wrong question.

They have been asking, "What CAN we do?" This question has led them towards cloning, etc.

The question that needs to be asked is: "What OUGHT we do?"

 

I meant that the baby, although an infant, would be chronologically (at the genetic level) 32 years old.

Not that an egg would hatch as me...Sorry if I was confusing.

 

Yeah, I wish I would've paid attention in Biology class now. Telemone..a-what's-it? No, I think I get it. But if what you guys are saying is true, wouldn't there be a big possibility that the clone would turn out a lot different than you? I believe the mind develops depending on socialisation more than the knowledge contained within. Sure, it may look the same, but would it make the same decisions you would make in several different situations?

[This message has been edited by Vandalore (edited June 18, 2001).]

 

Vandalore: yep, that's what it means

 

Cloning itself could potentially result in some very scary circumstances (Anyone see 'The Boys From Brazil'?)

The benefits of genetic research could be quite exciting though. Extending our lifespans by reducing the aging effect, conquering genetic illness and disease, reversing baldness, eliminating birth defects.... the list goes on and on.

Mathetais raises a good question, what 'should' we do? It seems that every benficial discovery is always tainted by some radical group who would use these ideas for immoral pursuits. Are we really striving for a perfect human race that is free from all 'defects'?

 

cloning is great step in science, im sure it will eventually be used to recreate limbs or create a child if the parents cant its all well good theoretically and i seriously believe it will not be some evil blade runner type scenario where all the clones turn against us, the question is how WILL it be used? and i think we should wait and see before commenting since all we can do now is speculate. im sorry but i cant really say much more about it.

 

Are we really striving for a perfect human race that is free from all 'defects'?

Moeken, don't you think we are already striving for just that goal? On the one hand there are the constant searches for ways to eradicate diseases, birth defects, and other sorts of disfigurements by accident and whatnot. But on the other, we also have people getting implants, reductions, nips and tucks, and so many other cosmetic "improvements".

Cloning is only going to join a long list of other "essentials" necessary for the masses' illusion of perfection. You can't put it back in the box. We have to learn to live with it, and hopefully judge wisely. Too bad humanity has a tendency to do just the opposite.

 

I'm with BTA in that case. Technology isn't bad or good it's the use or misuse of it that will bring an alignment to it.
It's the dilemma of the inventors to bring something up that is a weapon in the wrong hands. Look at Nobel, shortly after inventing Dynamite he was knowing about the crux of his invention and did his foundation. Similar the bad consciense of Oppenheimer.
The genetic exploration surely will bring new aspects in the fight against cancer and hereditary diseases but it can also be misused for creating an army of perfect warriors...let's be vigilant

 

One really good thing about cloning the way I see it, is that it helps us understand the genes and when we understand them fully, we can probably grow people new limbs, fix blindness and such while the baby is not yet born.

As for cloning the perfect humanbeeing, the whole idea sounds a little Adolf Hitler to me....

 

In general: If there is the technology, it will be misused. We are humans, we are falible (I think that's the word I'm looking for). We will f*** up eventually.

Something else that has been on my mind lately. Through genetics, we're getting closer and closer to prooving that at the same time in determining whether or not a conceived child will be a boy or a girl, the triggers of sexual preference is decided (that is if you believe in naturalists). For instance, all unborn children start out as females and evolve into a boy, thus the female genes are destroyed. Normally, the trigger for "liking guys" is also destroyed. If they proove this, I fear science will label homosexuality is a "genetic defect". I think this is horse shiot, it just gives the homophobics and gay haters (if you want to call them that) another reason to persecute them. Sometimes I think science should step off before another WII occurs, consequently eliminating that which isn't "perfect". Just let nature take it's course and let's not play god. I think there is such a thing as knowing too much.

 

I think Tal is very glad there's only one of me in the chatroom.

 

any other thoughts regarding cloning or genetics in general?

 

God creating the human in his own image. Then how can we possibly not play God?

 

I hope cloning will be forbidden for else there will go something terrible wrong.

Lokken what does this have to do with playing God. God created humans, gave us the possibility to get babies, and made us al unique. Cloning is not playing God but playing against His rules.

 

It wouldn't be the first time to play against his rules. I can't remember that he gave us the right to kill each other.

I'm afraid that the ban will come too late. The theoretical knowledge exists and if somebody wants to misuse it he will also do it against the law.