http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/24/opinion/caplan-neanderthal-baby/index.html?hpt=op_bn8
In the last decade, the growing
study of biogenetics has taken off in the science community. This field has
been growing faster than any other and is one that has made noteworthy
progress. This progress has led to the new ideas and research in using genes of
Neanderthals, woolly mammoths, and other extinct organisms to bring them back
to life. Ethical debates and issues have been raised with these up and coming
developments. The cloning of the Neanderthal sparks the most controversy due to
its genetic and physical similarities to humans.
The main question: Is cloning a
Neanderthal ethical? My answer: No. These hominids were the first to have proof
of burying their dead and to show signs of believing in an afterlife. This
means that bringing a Neanderthal back to life not only would be hard on that
individual, but it would be against the beliefs of most religions. This would
create worldwide tension and that might be even harder to deal with than trying
to raise this Neanderthal.
The countless problems created for
this Neanderthal would be substantial. He (or she) would be the only member of
the Neanderthal species in the world. This would create issues in how he would
go through life and whether or not he would just be used for testing. Being a
testing dummy and an outsider to society would create a life of possible
depression and confusion on how he would be treated. Would he be under the same
laws as humans? Where would he live? What role in society would he have? There
are many questions and not enough answers. The cloning of a Neanderthal is an
entanglement of ethical and social questions. In my opinion, it should not be
done.
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