Ethics and Technology - Part II

The future is now.

Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center have developed a method for cloning primate embryos. The question with regard to human cloning is not if, but when. When this becomes a reality we will not be ready for the implications and consequences. It probably will not be tomorrow. However it could certainly be within our lifetime that we are given the option to have a clone produced that could supply us with transplantable organs and tissue that are perfect matches to our own.

A UN Panel from the U.N. University's Institute of Advanced Studies has said it will only be a matter of time before scientists manage to clone a human if governments do not impose a ban. The panel has suggested that a legally binding ban be established. This will most likely fail. Legally binding and United Nations don't fit in the same sentence. We have UN bans on the development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons that have certainly been less than effective. Even if the UN were not impotent, a ban on cloning will not work for the simple reason that someone will exploit the inactivity of others to gain any advantage in this area.

The real question then becomes: what are the rights of human clones? Do they constitute a class of beings that can be exploited? In the US we supposedly place a premium on the worth of the individual and human rights. There are countries that do not see life the same way as we supposedly do here in the United States. They will certainly have few reservations when is comes to the exploitation of cloned humans.

While I think that would be great if the world could join together and define a unified response, I think that is very unlikely that any such accord will be developed and even less likely that it would or even could be enforced. Therefore, it is important that we decide how to respond when the inevitable occurs.


http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3152325.ece