Seeing Double – Personal Thoughts on Genes, Genetics and Cloning
by When I am rushed off my feet at work I often joke that I will have to be cloned in order to get everything done. I remember hearing about Dolly the sheep and not really thinking much about the significance, after all sheep seem very similar anyway. I suppose when you hear about cloning you think of two identical individuals, like identical twins, but it isn’t really like that. A clone isn’t a carbon copy in the sense that it is the same age etc, it is made from the same genetic material. I don’t really know if it is a good thing, I am not that comfortable about messing around with nature, but if I had a problem in my family that could be helped by that sort of technology I wouldn’t have any ethical issues about using it.
Image via Wikipedia
If I though that genetics or cloning could eradicate cancer I would support any kind of experimentation including stem cell research. Assuming that it was possible to eradicate cancer, other issues would arise. Firstly I do not believe it is ever going to happen, the drug companies are too powerful and it is not in their interests to find a cure. By fair means or foul they will keep cancer beyond the reach of a cure to preserve their earning potential. Secondly, we have to die of something; we can’t go on for ever. In a world with less illness and disability we would have to find a way to control the population, would we have compulsory euthanasia at age 75 or perhaps we would rely on more war’s and natural disaster to cull the excess population?
Image via Wikipedia
Paternity testing is now an accepted reality. I feel that men have little power in the area of parenting and childcare and we should do more to redress the power balance between men and women. I think a paternity test should be compulsory for all live births, possibly recorded on the birth certificate. Children have a right to know their genetic identity and it shouldn’t come as a nasty surprise later in life when the information can be more damaging. Men should be responsible for their children, financially and emotionally and the days of a man being conned into bringing up another man’s child as their own should be long gone!
I see nothing wrong with using DNA testing in forensic and criminal investigation, but innocent people need to be protected. There must be rules about who has the right to obtain and hold this information and how the information can be used.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentSourav
On November 21, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Interesting, that’s all I can say a this moment. need to give a little thought on this issue.
deep blue
On November 21, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Very well written. Life is wonderful with imperfections. Dr. Stephen Hawking lived with ALS and still managed to earn a name. A very inspiring work, your child will prove his talent in time soon.
Diverseblogger
On November 21, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I saw a documentary on cloning and I am speechless. I am happy to know that I am not the only one against it. Thank you for sharing
Sharif Ishnin
On November 21, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Very interesting article! I believe that everything can be used for good and for bad. No doubt, cloning was a great advancement of the century However if scientists intend to play God using cloning that’s the wrong direction that they are going. Use it as a medical breakthrough to help people.
Ruby Hawk
On November 21, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Frances, I agree with you. I don’t like fooling with Mother Nature. She isn’t too friendly when we go against her. I certainly don’t like the idea of custom made babies. We need a good variety of all possible combinations.
PhoenixRox
On November 23, 2009 at 6:06 am
Cloning is a remarkable breakthrough in research. But I don’t like messing with Mother nature either. Great article.
Hansika
On November 24, 2009 at 9:54 am
nice…thanks for the share
Darrell W Penner
On November 25, 2009 at 3:22 am
A very well written article. I think that like the article is saying, we must be careful in some areas of discovery. I think we must be as careful when deciding what is “messing” with Mother Nature or God.
simplyoj
On November 27, 2009 at 7:28 am
There is always advantages and disadvantages. But cloning can be a scary…