Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
The Clones
Michelle Owens
St. Mary's, Killester
Michelle Owens (St. Mary's, Killester) on the cloning controversy
I can blame no one for assuming 'THE CLONES' is yet another superficial,
special effects film extravaganza, complete with Hollywood stars, an extravagant
budget and a mastermind director! Will it be a blockbuster or a flopbuster?
With each new film, fantasy movie-making steps to a higher level. However,
swift technological advances in the fields of Medicine and Science have
surpassed Hollywood. What was fantasy and science fiction is now reality.
Dolly the sheep was born in Edinburgh, Roslin Institution on July 5th,
1996. Unaware of her dramatic feat, Dolly was the starting episode of
a long-lasting and controversial series. But the world's scientists are
not content with the series so far. Experiments regarding cloned mice,
frogs, cattle and goats are already a completed motion picture. The next
step is the final scientific frontier - human cloning. Aldous Huxley's
infamous nightmare of a world of identical clones no longer remains in
the fantasy world.
Political, financial and ethical restraints have so far prevented human
genetic cloning. However, this is only a short-term problem and it is
becoming more and more evident that scientists will be victorious - get
the Oscar ready! That is if Italian doctor, Severino Antinori has anything
to do with it. He plans to start human cloning whether the world's governments
are ready or not. He has received widespread funding from thousands of
individuals who live in hope of his success. And if he has to be housed
in a secret laboratory in Eastern Europe or in neutral waters, Antinori
promises to start his mission.
Once this film starts rolling it is impossible to edit mistakes. In the wrong hands disaster won't be too far in following. In the right hands it could bring childless couples their one long awaited wish. But, in order for this to happen perhaps dozens of deformities and maybe even deaths will have to come first. Is it worth it? Are scientists playing God with their test tubes and laboratories?
Therefore the big question remains. Is human cloning morally ethical?
Or, more importantly, is it morally right?