08-10-2003, 02:38
WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS CLONING BE? Christians and NON-Chistians read alike.
First off, humans did not did not discover cloning. Cloning is not a human invention. The Creator Himself planned this way of reproduction. When we plant potato tubers of the previous year, the potatoes we later harvest are just as nutritious and tasty. This is because there was no new combination of hereditary information, with one plant being pollinated with the DNA of another. They are in fact clones of the previous year's plant.
SO IS HUMANITY ALLOWED TO USE THE CLONING TECHNIQUE?
Humans are appointed rulers over 'the fish of the sea and over the fowl [birds] of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth' (Genesis 1:28). So I see no reason why it should not be used in plants and animals. Especially where there is a benefit to mankind, such as less hunger or disease. Christ's example indicates that things (such as healing, binding wounds, peace-making, and feeding the hungry) which oppose the effects of the Curse are 'blessed'.
When humans breed wheat that can be cultivated in cold areas, or use artificial selection to get cows yielding more milk, we are also 'manipulating nature'. But of course, few would (or should) oppose such intervention. I think that God's instruction to humans to subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28) also allows for cloning.
WHAT ABOUT USING THE CLONING TECHNIQUE ON HUMANS?
In today's 'evolutionized' world, there is no dividing line between the animal kingdom and humans, so the same ethical standards apply to dealings with both. THE BIBLE, HOWEVER, draws a clear line between animals and humans, and gives us ethical guidelines:
Humans were created separately, in God's image, unlike the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:27). Our existence extends beyond physical death (Luke 16:19-31, Philippians 1:23). This is nowhere indicated for animals.
God allowed humans to kill animals (Genesis 9:2-3). Concerning other humans, He gave the commandment: 'Thou shalt not kill' (Exodus 20:13).
God entrusted humans with dominion over the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:26). But humans were never told to have dominion over other humans, nor manipulate them, as would be the case if cloning humans.
Furthermore, humans are meant to have fathers and mothers, to be where possible the offspring of a sacred marriage relationship, the family ordained by God. While unfortunate circumstances in a fallen world mean that sometimes children have to be raised by only one parent, a clone could never have two parents. THUS THE ARTIFICIAL CLONING OF A COMPLETE HUMAN BEING, BECAUSE IT DELIBERATELY SETS OUT TO CAUSE SUCH A SITUATION, IS OPPOSED TO BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.
There are further reasons for rejecting the artificial cloning of humans. Each fertilized egg, including those from cloning, is a new human individual. Yet perfecting the cloning technique requires many experiments. Many individuals would be enabled to commence life, only to be deliberately destroyed.
CONCLUSION
Thus, while it may be right under certain circumstances to clone animals to benefit people, I think it is absolutely wrong to try to clone humans, and because of this, I urge all nations of the UN to vote NO for the 'The GenetiCorp Convention'.
COMMENTS?
If you have any comments of what i just posted, you can telegram me a message, and i'll get back to you. Savage Fobs is my nation. No hate mail. If you like what I wrote feel free to endorse me. It'd be most nice of you. Thanks for reading this.
-The Armed Republic of Savage Fobs
First off, humans did not did not discover cloning. Cloning is not a human invention. The Creator Himself planned this way of reproduction. When we plant potato tubers of the previous year, the potatoes we later harvest are just as nutritious and tasty. This is because there was no new combination of hereditary information, with one plant being pollinated with the DNA of another. They are in fact clones of the previous year's plant.
SO IS HUMANITY ALLOWED TO USE THE CLONING TECHNIQUE?
Humans are appointed rulers over 'the fish of the sea and over the fowl [birds] of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth' (Genesis 1:28). So I see no reason why it should not be used in plants and animals. Especially where there is a benefit to mankind, such as less hunger or disease. Christ's example indicates that things (such as healing, binding wounds, peace-making, and feeding the hungry) which oppose the effects of the Curse are 'blessed'.
When humans breed wheat that can be cultivated in cold areas, or use artificial selection to get cows yielding more milk, we are also 'manipulating nature'. But of course, few would (or should) oppose such intervention. I think that God's instruction to humans to subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28) also allows for cloning.
WHAT ABOUT USING THE CLONING TECHNIQUE ON HUMANS?
In today's 'evolutionized' world, there is no dividing line between the animal kingdom and humans, so the same ethical standards apply to dealings with both. THE BIBLE, HOWEVER, draws a clear line between animals and humans, and gives us ethical guidelines:
Humans were created separately, in God's image, unlike the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:27). Our existence extends beyond physical death (Luke 16:19-31, Philippians 1:23). This is nowhere indicated for animals.
God allowed humans to kill animals (Genesis 9:2-3). Concerning other humans, He gave the commandment: 'Thou shalt not kill' (Exodus 20:13).
God entrusted humans with dominion over the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:26). But humans were never told to have dominion over other humans, nor manipulate them, as would be the case if cloning humans.
Furthermore, humans are meant to have fathers and mothers, to be where possible the offspring of a sacred marriage relationship, the family ordained by God. While unfortunate circumstances in a fallen world mean that sometimes children have to be raised by only one parent, a clone could never have two parents. THUS THE ARTIFICIAL CLONING OF A COMPLETE HUMAN BEING, BECAUSE IT DELIBERATELY SETS OUT TO CAUSE SUCH A SITUATION, IS OPPOSED TO BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.
There are further reasons for rejecting the artificial cloning of humans. Each fertilized egg, including those from cloning, is a new human individual. Yet perfecting the cloning technique requires many experiments. Many individuals would be enabled to commence life, only to be deliberately destroyed.
CONCLUSION
Thus, while it may be right under certain circumstances to clone animals to benefit people, I think it is absolutely wrong to try to clone humans, and because of this, I urge all nations of the UN to vote NO for the 'The GenetiCorp Convention'.
COMMENTS?
If you have any comments of what i just posted, you can telegram me a message, and i'll get back to you. Savage Fobs is my nation. No hate mail. If you like what I wrote feel free to endorse me. It'd be most nice of you. Thanks for reading this.
-The Armed Republic of Savage Fobs