Sure, not everything genetically modified is bad. What about GM foods? Don’t they help us? And your answer would be yes. It would most certainly be a lie to say that genetically modified foods do not have their uses, but it would also be a lie to say that GM foods are beneficial. It is true that GM foods survive longer in the cold winter, and are prone to certain viruses, but would you like to be eating a plate of strawberries, knowing that they contain xenodiloncarbonate?
If you do not mind eating a plate of chemicals, then I cannot help you. But would you mind if I told you that you’re beautiful plate of chemicals are endangering wild life with the toxic sprays that keep them alive? Or that their poisonous fumes will one day suffocate the human race? I mind.
Or better yet, would you like to know that the future generation is endangered due to over-sized bugs with super strengths? This could happen. Over time, bugs will evolutionise, just as mankind did, and one day, bugs may become immune to our pesticides, and may even mutate, due to the side effects of our chemicals, transforming into something unstoppable.
After these realistic theories, how can the idea of a human clone seem the slightest bit eye-catching? Although the cloning of animals may open scientists’ opportunities for medical research, and the genetically modified foods may prevent starvation, the thought of an actual human clone is still too menacing to allow.
In addition to the dangers of cloning, there are also other complications. A cloned daughter grows up, and one day looks at her mother and realises that she is not just looking at the similarity of a mother and daughter, but realises that she is actually looking at a likeness more than that, a resemblance so close, that her mother is actually her twin sister. How would that feel? Or would clones even have feelings? Do you want to risk finding out? And what happens when a clone makes a mistake? How are we able to forgive him? The phrase “he’s only human” doesn’t even apply anymore.
Now I want all of you to just close your eyes and imagine. Imagine ten years from now. It is the year 2011. The world has evolved from ape, to human, to clone. What do you see? In this world of clones, I see that the imperfections of the human race are now gone. But isn’t that a good thing? Think about it, and then tell me. Because I have thought about it, and am ready to tell you no, it isn’t. Yes, it is true that all the little annoying idiosyncrasies that drives everyone up the wall are gone, but then so is individuality, uniqueness, that little ingredient that makes someone special. Is that what you want? Because I can tell you right now that that’s not how what I want.
I can also tell you that that’s not how Shakespeare wanted it either. How do I know? ‘Macbeth’ is how I know. After all, isn’t it Macbeth’s imperfection, weakness of character that makes him so enjoyable to watch?
At this point, there are still many more questions about this topic, some answered, and some which are still yet to be answered. But right now, at this very moment, I can tell you this much- How many of you would like to be walking down the street one day, and bump into a person who looked exactly liked you? This is your answer to whether or not cloning humans should be allowed.
