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First cloned human embryo revealed

Posted by Hemos on from the time-open-up-the-discussion dept.

Stephen Williams sent us the BBC story that American Cell Technology had successfully cloned a human embryo, using a cell from a man's leg and a cow. The embryo was destroyed at 12 days-just prior to when naturally the embryo implants into the uterine wall. They did so wanting to "try and allay fears over artificial life." Wow. The Boys from Brazil indeed-what do you folks think?

7 of 402 comments (clear)

  1. What's wrong with a clone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3

    I have no problems with clones, probably due to me being a twin. But I do have a problem with the idea that clones are not different people, or that a clone can be treated as a commodity.
    Twins/clones are different people even if they look similar. My experience being a twin and with the several others that I know is that the always have different personalities. You can tell which twin is which quit easily. I have never met two that communicate in quite the same way, they usually have different body language and a different vocabulary. Just because you have the same DNA, dosn't meen you are the same. Don't treat us as the same person! (and you thought you had an identity problem ;)
    Now a clone as a commodity... Now as a natural clone I have just one question. Is it me or my twin, who is the spare parts?

    Sorry about this rant, but..

  2. To the tune of "Home on the Range" by roystgnr · · Score: 3

    Oh, give me a clone
    Of my own flesh and bone
    With its Y-chromosome changed to X
    And after it's grown
    Then my own little clone
    Will be of the opposite sex.

    (Chorus)
    Clone, clone of my own,
    With your Y-Chromosome changed to X
    And when I'm alone
    With my own little clone
    We will both think of nothing but sex.

    Oh, give me a clone
    Is my sorrowful moan
    A clone that is wholly my own.
    And if she's X-X
    And the feminine sex
    Oh, what fun we will have when we're prone.

    My heart's not of stone,
    As I've frequently shown
    When alone with my own little X
    And after we've dined
    I am sure we will find
    Better incest than Oedipus Rex.

    Why should such sex vex
    Or disturb or perplex
    Or induce a disparaging tone?
    After all, don't you see,
    Since we're both of us me,
    When we're having sex, I'm alone!

    And after I'm done
    She will still have her fun
    For I'll clone myself twice ere I die.
    And this time without fail,
    They'll be both of them male
    And they'll each ravage her by and by.


    First verse and chorus by Randall Garrett; other verses by Isaac Asimov.

  3. Re:Two sides of the coin by eponymous+cohort · · Score: 3

    Yes it would be wonderful to be able to replace damaged body parts from the same genetic stock, but if the price of doing so is maiming another Human being (a human clone is still human), then it's not worth it.

    --

    Of all the comments I've ever posted, this is definately one of them

  4. Re:Women! by Stephen+Williams · · Score: 3

    Speaking of women - if we men can clone ourselves, we don't need women any more. All we need is an ample supply of cows.

  5. Re:clone fears? by Stephen+Williams · · Score: 3
    I doubt many christians would buy into the idea that a clone is a human, simply because it "wasn't made by god."

    OTOH, maybe some would say that it doesn't matter whether the person was conceived naturally or in a laboratory; it has the spark of life regardless, and that spark is bestowed upon it by God, no matter how the person originated. This seems similar to the IVF debate.

  6. Cows are great by Stephen+Williams · · Score: 5

    What with cows being used in cloning technology, and cows being used to build that nanotech railway (see previous Slashdot story), this week seems to be a really great week for cows. They seem to be sooo versatile. And they're edible. Cows rock. Is there anything you can't do with cows? Don't answer that.

  7. Re:clone fears? by remande · · Score: 3
    Then you get into the religious issue. Whether you agree with the religionists or not, they are a powerful force in the world today. I doubt many christians would buy into the idea that a clone is a human, simply because it "wasn't made by god." Although, I find it hard to fathom that "kind-hearted christian folk" could look into the pale blue eyes of a 7 year old girl and tell her she has no soul and that she's a monster. I also fear what would be done to the parents of a clone. They would be repeatedly harassed by closed-minded fools who think that just because something didn't follow the status quo of arrival into the world that they have fewer rights.

    I am a Christian, and I am stating my best understanding of Jesus' viewpoint on this. Don't consider this Gospel; I am only human.

    In short: clones are people too.

    I'm avoiding the question of whether the act of cloning is a sin. Theologians will argue that for years, if not decades. I am no theologian. God's perspective on cloning, however, is entirely separate from God's perspective on clones. This distinction is important.

    Here's how I know. Christians (and just about everybody else) believe that rape is immoral. Children can be conceived due to rape. The Christian perspective is that such children are no different from other children.

    In short, Jesus does not hold you accountable for the circumstances of your birth. Children born of rape can be saved, can preach, can do anything other people can do.

    Thus can clones. Cloning is certainly no more immoral than rape! Clones are viable people just as the rest of us are.

    In Scripture, Jesus accepted Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans (though he railed against Samaritan viewpoints, he accepted those who chose to follow him), and prostitutes. To say that He will not accept a clone is ludicrous. And if He will, who is a Christian not to?

    --

    --The basis of all love is respect