just because you can, doesn't mean you always should

[threeplusfire]

The story about Clonaid and the claim of the first clone birth are all over the wires this morning. Didn't we all read enough science fiction stories to know that cloning never ends in happiness? I read "Nine Lives" again yesterday, and it is still a chilling thought.

It's a strange day when I can't even retreat into my sci-fi collection for respite from the world. Back to the wizards I suppose. Even if they do keep me up til odd hours before dawn, whispering.

Comments

[doctorno.livejournal.com]

As with all scientific advances (and cloning is an advance, believe me), the evil is found not in the cloning, but rather in how it is used by us. Eventually, cloning will save so many lives we won't know how we went on without it. But there will be, of course, serious new consequences that will have the moralists' panties in a bunch.

The door is open; I say bring on the clones.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I have to wonder, if the possible saving of lives, these possibilities will outweigh the possible horrors. No way to know for sure except to go there, I suppose.

To be human is to reach. As amazing and fantastic as that is, it is still a bit scary.

[cyniccat.livejournal.com]

The problem is, the world is already incredibly overpopulated as it is. It's not like we need to clone people to keep the human species alive.

[jait.livejournal.com]

I agree, entirely.

But they came at it from two (three, actually) different motivations.

The couple wanted a baby of their own.

The scientists wanted to make a breakthrough, be seen as pioneers, "the first" at whatever was involved.

And then there's the business side of it all. Profit.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Especially since cloning would be a dead end, genetically.