Evolution is a process where only the fittest gene pool prevents an organism’s extinction. In essence cloning can undo natures work in the great battle that is; the survival of the fittest. Dinosaurs were wiped out by an extinction level event, so it is thought. The Woolly Mammoth became extinct, as a thick hairy layer was not needed in the ever warmer climate in which it was resident. The Dodo was hunted by man into extinction. For right or wrong; an extinct species did not survive because a natural force or action marked it for removal from existence.
In recent days news has reported that scientists have been able to clone a mouse from a carcass that has been dead, on ice for 16 years. Dolly the sheep was cloned back in 1996, which was a massive breakthrough in the science community. Should anyone, whatever the motivation, be allowed to interfere with something that has so many moral implications?
There are all manner of genuine reasons for cloning; including medical research, improving livestock production and stem cell reproduction. Stem cell research gives the promise of the most gain, and fundamentally the most controversy. The reasoning behind such extensive investigations and experiments is that manipulating stem cells provides the building blocks to create useful blood cells, bones and even organs.
One big fear behind cloning and cell manipulation in general, in stark contrast to all the wonderful promise it gives to the human race is its potential for misuse. Do we know enough about this nature-meddling to trust is as a means to improve medical science? What's to stop an army of 'super-beings' being developed and cloned for warfare? Should you be able to choose the gender of your unborn child?
Dolly the cloned sheep died of an unlikely progressive lung disease for her age of seven. Particularly in the conditions she lived in. Was there something not quite right in the cloning process? Will we ever know is the fact of the matter. The post-mortem investigation just showed a younger than usual sheep with an unfortunate lung disease. It did raise the fact that breaking the laws of nature in such a manner may not be as easy or trustworthy as scientists thought. Dolly gave birth to four lambs in her life: their current health is not known.
The future will likely bring far better organ donors, and improved research conditions for the understanding and cure of diseases. Whether this 'weird science' will be misused has yet to be seen, but it is not improbable that such activities to utilise this technology are happening now, and will in the years to come. The term 'doppelganger' has not until recent times had such a truer meaning behind it. Interesting developments are sure to scatter headlines in the future of mankind for some time.
