"You were so busy wondering if it could be done you forgot to ask if it should be done."
Juurassic Park I

The issue at hand is no longer should it be done, It is now how we control it. It's going to be done, by someone, somewhere.

Here is a post I made elsewhere on this issue(of cloning), there are much broader and deeper inplications that have been discussed so far here.

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As to whether it should be done, moot point. Like the development of nuclear weapons, genetic manipulation and many other fields, once it has been demonstrated it is possible, someone will do it.



Somewhere, right now, in all likelihood there is a team working on it, if not having already done it.

The societal implications are vast, and frightening. We have to deal with the reactions and effects now. Debating over whether or not it should be done is effectivly glossing over the problem. I have my own opinions about it, should we do it? Maybe. Will it be done? Yes. Should it be tightly controlled? Definitly.

There is one point that has not been covered yet. The practical side, from a genetic viewpoint. Sooner or later humanity will start messing about with its genetic makeup, to 'optimise' the species. Problem; when a species becomes monogenetic (the genetic makeup to be within +/- 5% of a base) then that species become extremely vulnerable to diseases and recessive genetic flaws. In other words if humans become monogenetic we could eventualy be eradicated by a single variety of microbe, virus or prion. The very diversity of our genes makes us a lot more viable, some who are exposed ti HIV do not show any symptoms, nor do they become ill. Some exposed to heavy doses of cancer inducing chemicals and radiation do not develop the disease.

This would be compounded by cloning by a quantum leap. What if 98% of humanity had the same genome? If a disease came about that had a 90% morbidity rate, the remaining 5% of humanity is not enough to continue the species, much less maintian a civilisation.




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So at issue is whether we have the ability to make a judgement as to the efficacy of any change we make with the very fundamental construction of our own species. Which if left uncontrolled could do to us what we feared the Nuclear Weapons were going to do. We would go into that long night not with a bang but with a whimper.

The genetic manipulation of our foodcrops,pets and animals has left them vulnerable to a host of both microrganisms and genetic flaws.

(Anyone here have a dog with hip displysia? A cat with kidney problems. Dealt with Bovine ACT? All from genetic minipulation through selective breeding)

To repeat myself, it will be done, we have to insure it is done with caution and as wisely as is possible.