Disadvantages Of Human Cloning

by Darren

December 19, 2008 – 5:26 pm

In which we examine the problems with cloning humans

Human cloning seems like an inevitability. When you consider how much progress man has made in the arena of cloning animals, you realize that scientists will want to bring the same technology to bear on humans. The idea of clones make sense. More that cloning animals, though, human cloning carries a dizzying array of ethical concerns that must be sorted out before man begins down this path in earnest. Let’s examine some of the disadvantages of human cloning now.

Human clones as property

The biggest disadvantage to cloning comes from the creation of a “clone class” of people, who by law, have no human rights. It doesn’t take a long study of history to know that any class of people who have less rights than the class in prevailing power tends to suffer at the hands of the elite. Clones would have no protections under law, and no basic rights. To say the least, unscrupulous people would likely push clone abuse to the very limits of human endurance if no such safeguards are put in place.

Clones: where is the love?

One thing that clearly separates man from animals is man’s capacity to love. Humankind has done miraculous, and even dreadful things in the name of love, which is probably our most powerful emotion. Will clones be loved by the “regular humans”?

Equally important, can the clones feel love towards the “regulars”, the elite class which reigns over them? Will they show capacity for the full range of human emotions, or will they be stunted on a basic level? Without answers to these questions, the effect of introducing clones to modern society is a risky proposition.

The introduction of clones to modern society will cause major social upheaval

The introduction of a clone class of people will cause an immediate social division by human groups not seen since the days of slavery. If clones are merely chattle to be abused, sold, and profited from, their low social standing will ensure they lack all opportunities and any path for advancement. If their intellect is in tact, then their level of resentment towards their “creators” is bound to be palpable.

If the disenfranchisement becomes great enough, the clones might do what many other downtrodden classes of people have done before them. They will revolt against the power structure and demand equal rights.

If cloning technology falls into the wrong hands, there could be disastrous consequences

What is Al Qaeda discovered the technology to easily make human clones? Undoubtedly they’d use them for “suicide bombing” missions, or worse. Any military, including the military of the west, would be attracted to the idea of using “expendable” people to fight conflicts. So what if a few thousand clones were killed, they would surmise. “I can always make more.”

The type of people who are most interested in the benefits of human cloning are the types of folks we most have to worry about. Clones could be used as slave labor for many nefarious activities, and in the worst case scenarios, clones would become advanced weaponry.

Creating clones cheapens life

Cloning is a strong step towards turning humans into commodities. Cloning is a building block towards the mass production of human life. Clones make people easy to replace and non-unique. Crass commercialism in the form of a “clone market” would put a dollar figure on people and life. That’s a step on a slippery slope, if ever there were one. People need to have a strong respect for life in order to appreciate the world they live in. If many come to think of life as something that’s easily created in a test tube, the miracle of human existence becomes something much more plain and course.

Right now, the technology to clone humans is either available, or very nearly ready. The only thing stopping current scientists from experimenting with cloning is the legality. Human cloning is illegal in much of the world, despite a great amount of support from supporters of the technology who see the advantages of cloning in medical research.

Current world leaders have decided that the disadvantages of human cloning currently outweigh the advantages. As the debate broadens into academic, scientific, and spiritual circles, a strict code of ethics concerning how to proceed will need to be drawn, and enforced. Without tight governance, human cloning could quickly descend into a nightmare endeavor.

Tags: clones, Human Cloning