Now that human cloning's apparently upon us, is immortality as well? (My title)

CNN.com ^ | Dec. 27th, 2002 | CNN.com

[End The Hypocrisy]

A major announcement regarding human cloning is supposedly underway.

Related article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-12-27-baby-clone_x.htm

[End The Hypocrisy]

Here's a question for the more scientifically sophisticated, and technologically tolerant Freepers: Might it be possible to clone one's self, and transfer one's brain's memory lobes to the new him or her, and essentially continue living through the cloned version? By transferring merely the memory lobes as opposed to the brainstem, paralysis conceivably wouldn't result. I've read in the past that memories can be transferred in this way, and since it's one's clone then I guess the risk of tissue rejection is greatly minimized. This all sounds feasible then, right? If so then I bet whichever biotech firm offers it (from a country where it can be offered) will make a bundle with the aging baby-boomers of the USA and Europe (etcetera). Folks not only seek immortality, they seek renewed youth.

Now let's up the ante a bit... Can the new version of one's self be genetically improved but STILL accept one's brain's memory lobe tissues withOUT organ rejection's likely occurrence? Or would even that slight genetic modification (to make one smarter, or more phyiscally "ideal", or whatever) greatly increase the risk of tissue rejection from the original donor human?

For those who might claim it's immoral to pursue something like this, should Christopher Reeve be forced to accept his plight? Meanwhile, without vastly extended lifespans, how else can traveling to the stars by humans be possible? Additionally, should those who are genetically predisposed to die of some hereditary disease be forced accept their fates, like those who lived before organ transplants existed were forced to do? Also, when a loved one is lost must it be forever?

I acknowledge that ethical dilemmas are presented by cloning technologies, but I think they can be resolved withOUT our abandoning this seemingly promising new technology. Other, competing countries will aggressively embrace this new technology even if we don't.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Forest Gump once said that "life's like a box of chocolates: you don't know WHAT you're gonna get."

Even for those who don't seek immortality, cloning seems to have the potential to help restore order to family life, for those who still want to have kids that is...

[dighton]

"Rascals, would you live for ever?"

-- Frederick the Great.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Does anyone doubt that this technology will succeed, even if not through Cloneaid's trials?

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Is it human nature NOT to want to live forever, as long as conditions are tolerable?

[RGSpincich]

News conference with clone-master now.

I like my scientists a little on the trashy side.

[txhurl]

Within the Kennedy family it certainly seems to be the case.

They'd be first in line for the immortality shot.

[HEY4QDEMS]

cloning seems to have the potential to help restore order to family life

WHAT!!! you can't be serious.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Is there a way for us to see their news conference ONLINE? Otherwise are there any channels airing it? Not everyone has cable t.v. so if there are network channels airing it as well, that would be great to know...

[End The Hypocrisy]

With the Kennedy family's mortality rate, it's somewhat understandable. Heaven help those affected by their blundering offspring, though...

[spectre]

No, because as we get older and our health fails, the living conditions often become intolerable. So to live forever in a body that is sick and tired, and unable to function is not normal.

Cloning is one thing, but how does one clone the "soul"? Good clone, bad clone...all the horrific science fiction films of that subject come to mind :~)

sw

[drjoe]

except that there are no "memory lobes" the idea sounds real neat. The physical basis of memory is still totally unknown.

[drjoe]

except that there are no "memory lobes" the idea sounds real neat. The physical basis of memory is still totally unknown.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Actually I am serious. Much of personality is genetically based, supposedly. How many families are rendered dysfunctional because of excessively unruly teens? If one could clone one's self to have a kid one can better understand and help, or if one can clone someone whose childhood was calm and successful despite challenging circumstances, couldn't that make families stronger?

[Puddleglum]

Look for a caste system to devlop like the Eloi and the Morlocks, with troublesome traits like independent streaks bred out of all but the scientists..I mean, the "know-what's-best-for-you" caste.

Cloning is immoral and stupid. Do I need to remind us all of the old "you just aborted Beethoven" scenario? God makes silks purses out of sow's ears, man is about to do the opposite, and then God will retracts his grace from this little bacteria-crawling glob of mud in the shadow of brighter stars.

[End The Hypocrisy]

>>>Cloning is one thing, but how does one clone the "soul"?<<<

And how do you rationally respond to those who suggest that the concept of a soul is more of a medieval creation?

[genefromjersey]

Of course immortality is upon us : for the select , that is.

The Hillary Clintons of this world will demand to be cloned !

As ol' Willie Shakespeare had it : " The evil men do lives after them ."

[End The Hypocrisy]

>>>except that there are no "memory lobes" the idea sounds real neat. The physical basis of memory is still totally unknown<<<


I've often heard that we still have a great deal to learn about the brain. Perhaps an entire transplant could take place then, but hopefully someday without inducing a Christopher Reeve-style paralysis?

[End The Hypocrisy]

>>>The Hillary Clintons of this world will demand to be cloned !<<<


If they can't replicate themselves in the USA, they'll do it elsewhere. But if we can do it in the USA too, then good and moral folks can multiply as well, and consequently better combat the armies of Hillaries and Kennedies.

[LouisianaLobster]

Might it be possible to clone one's self, and transfer one's brain's memory lobes to the new him or her, and essentially continue living through the cloned version?

Before you can transplant parts of an adult brain, the clone would have the grow up until he is adult right? Don't you think this person might have some objections when told that his brain is going to be removed and replaced by that of another person?