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written 1/20/03 12:02:37 AM Revisited 4/9/2004

Do you remember Clonaid? http://www.clonaid.com

If you don't remember Clonaid, it was the company who planned to clone the first human, and claims to have do so several times over. So, back when they were in the spotlight I decided to send them an outrageous email and they actually replied!

*Here is what I sent:


To: clonaid@rael.org

Subject: is it true...?

I've heard many things about cloning, but aside the basic moral issues, are there no complications that will afflict the clone? For example, one of the main things that come to mind is the lifespan. I would think that the genetic structure of a clone would be the same as the parent, and therefore have a shorter lifespan. Or maybe it would even have the same heath problems, such as cancers, mental limitations and eye problems. Is Clonaid willing to be liable for creating defected humans and crushing the hopes of the parents who put their faith in them?

Is this "company" willing to face the consequences of their actions? There is no telling how many ways that cloning can be misused. Aside from being creepy in every sense of the word, cloning people like this is just haphazard the very goal of your company would destroy the world, unless of course you are making sterile clones. Do you not believe the ultimate goal of your company will lead to an overpopulation of the entire world, bringing even more hurt to an ailing world? These are my questions and fears. If you could address them and calm them, I would be very grateful.

*Here is their reply:

From: nadine@lvcm.com

Hello!

Thank you so much for your interest and support in our company and the promising technology of human cloning. Please log on to www.clonaid.com to find more information about our services, news-breaking articles which have been published about us, press releases and www.rael.org to better the understand the philosophy which prompted Rael, the founder of Clonaid, to create the first human cloning company in the world. Rael recently published " Yes To Human Cloning", which you are highly encouraged to read (available on the websites).

Cloning is not as monstrous as the media leads us to believe! Dolly is a great example: she is 6 years old her donor cell died at 3 years old! The technology with assisted human reproduction IVF has been immensely improved in the past 24 years which has greatly helped us and our successful work. Please rest assured that assisted reproduction (IVF and Human Cloning will result in much less anomalies than natural reproduction performed by the millions of sick unconscious individuals ( drug or alcohol addicts of example) who give birth to unhealthy children everyday without anyone being overly concerned about it

SCIENTIFIC STEPS TO ETERNAL LIFE THANKS TO HUMAN CLONING AS SCIENCE PROGRESSES

So far, we have merely created a physical copy of an individual. The second step will require to develop a technology called: "Accelerated Growth Process" which will allow to create an adult directly without having to go through the various developmental growth stages. The third and last step, essential to reach eternal life, will be to upload the memory of the individual who wants to be cloned into a computer and then download the data into the brain of the adult clone.

Dr. Boisselier, the president of Clonaid strongly defends the right of humans to be able to use their genes as they please which includes the right to clone them. Regulations will of course be necessary to put a restriction on how many times one can duplicate his or her genetic code.

Warm regards,

Nadine Gary, PR

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You should hear what the rest of their steps are. Eventually their goal is eternal life. Cloning outselves and then being able to transfer our thoughts into this new body.

DOES ANYONE ELSE SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?!

Of course that is what was I alluding to in my email. Allow me to go into Science Fiction mode so I phrase this right. Ok...

1) Knowing how the world works, who exactly do you think would get to live forever? That's right, the rich and powerful. You know, people like Dick Cheney.

2) As if that wasn't bad enough, eventually there will be so many people amassing wealth that the economic system as we know it would collapse. In order to be in the upper class, you'd have to go through several life-cycles.

3)OVERPOPULATION. It isn't *really* a probem yet. America is practically empty compared to China. If humans weren't so territorial, we'd be fine. Of course, this would change eventually if eternal life were possible.

Those are my top three Sci-Fi reasons that I dislike Clonaid.

I think reproductive cloning isn't really a step forward. What do you think?