Cloning of famous human beings leads me to wonder whether or not the major industries responsible for said famous human beings will try to copyright the genetic structures of said famous human beings.
Imagine Microsoft owning the copyright to Bill Gates, or the US government owning the copyright to past US presidents.
Think of the lawsuits which may occur. What happens if, say, someone in the near future clones Bill Gates? Will Microsoft sue? If they do sue, what happens to the clone? Will it be put to death, turned over to Microsoft, or simply freed in to the world?
And would not copyrighting your own genetic structure pretty much allow companies to copy you at will, with or without your permission? What role would consent play in cloning? I mean, one may be able to clone a human being from a tiny sample of blood, tissure, or hair. Such things can be taken from the subject without his or her knowledge or permission. Imagine yourself walking down the street, only to see someone who reminds you so much of yourself twenty years ago that you have to wonder if he actually IS you. And if a company cloned you without your permission, would you be able to take legal action, or would you be screwed?
Slashdot Mirror
Cloning of famous human beings leads me to wonder whether or not the major industries responsible for said famous human beings will try to copyright the genetic structures of said famous human beings.
Imagine Microsoft owning the copyright to Bill Gates, or the US government owning the copyright to past US presidents.
Think of the lawsuits which may occur. What happens if, say, someone in the near future clones Bill Gates? Will Microsoft sue? If they do sue, what happens to the clone? Will it be put to death, turned over to Microsoft, or simply freed in to the world?
And would not copyrighting your own genetic structure pretty much allow companies to copy you at will, with or without your permission? What role would consent play in cloning? I mean, one may be able to clone a human being from a tiny sample of blood, tissure, or hair. Such things can be taken from the subject without his or her knowledge or permission. Imagine yourself walking down the street, only to see someone who reminds you so much of yourself twenty years ago that you have to wonder if he actually IS you. And if a company cloned you without your permission, would you be able to take legal action, or would you be screwed?
Just my thoughts on the subject...
Tzimark