Preventing a Brave New World; Cloning of Human Embryos
Preventing a Brave New World |
Abstract Leon Kass’s provides a compelling article on why the world should ban cloning. Kass’ article, “Preventing a Brave New World”, provides Kass’ theories of if society progresses on its current path, society would start to turn to cloning as an alternative to typical reproduction. Cloning offers a way to design an offspring rather than the typical experience of child raising. Kass believes if cloning is not banned, society will be more dependent upon technology and be at technologies whim.
Preventing a Brave New World In "Preventing a Brave New World", Leon Kass concludes that reproductive and therapeutic cloning of human embryos is unethical. He provides several thoughts as to why and how he has reached this decision. Kass believes the progression with technologies and the advancement of cloning has its root cause in the evolution of man and the ideals of the future man; to receive “instant gratification.” If man can utilize science to produce a perfect child (a child without illness, birth defects, mental instabilities, etc.), man will utilize this process to benefit themselves and damn the consequences. The general consensus of human cloning is generally faced with disgust. The public opinion of cloning is generally unpopular and is not faced favorably. Because of the unpopular opinion of cloning, there is not much pressure from opposition to allow cloning. It is believed that once science evolved to the point where scientists could successfully engineer an offspring that was perfect and designed by a “parent”, the public opinion of cloning might change. With the public opinion of cloning changed, it may spell certain disaster for the human race. Kass believes this is a possibility because of the mindset of society today. With the instant gratification attitude of society, people are more apt to custom design a child rather that conceiving a child “the old fashioned way”. Kass sees that this
Abstract Leon Kass’s provides a compelling article on why the world should ban cloning. Kass’ article, “Preventing a Brave New World”, provides Kass’ theories of if society progresses on its current path, society would start to turn to cloning as an alternative to typical reproduction. Cloning offers a way to design an offspring rather than the typical experience of child raising. Kass believes if cloning is not banned, society will be more dependent upon technology and be at technologies whim.
Preventing a Brave New World In "Preventing a Brave New World", Leon Kass concludes that reproductive and therapeutic cloning of human embryos is unethical. He provides several thoughts as to why and how he has reached this decision. Kass believes the progression with technologies and the advancement of cloning has its root cause in the evolution of man and the ideals of the future man; to receive “instant gratification.” If man can utilize science to produce a perfect child (a child without illness, birth defects, mental instabilities, etc.), man will utilize this process to benefit themselves and damn the consequences. The general consensus of human cloning is generally faced with disgust. The public opinion of cloning is generally unpopular and is not faced favorably. Because of the unpopular opinion of cloning, there is not much pressure from opposition to allow cloning. It is believed that once science evolved to the point where scientists could successfully engineer an offspring that was perfect and designed by a “parent”, the public opinion of cloning might change. With the public opinion of cloning changed, it may spell certain disaster for the human race. Kass believes this is a possibility because of the mindset of society today. With the instant gratification attitude of society, people are more apt to custom design a child rather that conceiving a child “the old fashioned way”. Kass sees that this
References: Kass, L. R. (2009). Preventing a Brave New World. In M. E. Winston, & R. E. Edelbach, Society, Ethics, and Technology (pp. 317-329). Belmont: Wadsworth .