[B-Chan]

A clone is an identical twin -- not an artificial being or android. Just as a natural twin is genetically identical to its counterpart, so too is the clone. The only difference is that the twin is created by the natural sexual activity of two persons, while a clone is artificially created from the DNA of a single individual.

In a sense, cloning is the ultimate form of masturbation -- a self-centered act of pleasure, utterly devoid of passion, and ultimately narcissistic. The fact that such a horrific practice is fundamentally disordered goes without saying.

[jennyp]

In a sense, cloning is the ultimate form of masturbation -- a self-centered act of pleasure, utterly devoid of passion, and ultimately narcissistic. The fact that such a horrific practice is fundamentally disordered goes without saying.

But how is that (procreation divorced from intercourse) any different from in vitro fertilization?

[Polycarp]

A clone is an identical twin --

I do not agree with this. Identical twins by definition are two new lives spontaneously springing forth from one fertilized egg at one definite moment in time, a new unique DNA code drawn from 1/2 the DNA code from dad and 1/2 the DNA code from mom.

A clone is simply a continuation of DNA replication from an already existing donor, no 1/2 the DNA code from dad and 1/2 the DNA code from mom, not spontaneously springing forth from one fertilized egg at one definite moment in time, a new unique DNA code.

Imagine it: take a piece of skin from your forearm, separate out a single cell, remove its DNA.

Get an egg from some woman. Pull the 1/2 the DNA code from her from the nucleus of this egg.

Insert the DNA from your forearm.

Under the influence of chemicals, that egg is tricked into undergoing division.

Its subsequently implanted into a willing recepticle and born several months later.

Can you honestly say its simply your twin?

Its not your twin.

Its your clone.

And since our DNA is preprogrammed to only divide a concrete number of times, and since portions of the DNA of fully differentiated are never completely "switched on" your poor clone is doomed to an early death, whether by premature aging or early onset of strange deformities and pathologies.

Oh, just in case my theory is correct, and he has no soul, he's going to be gunning for you regarding the premature aging or early onset of strange deformities and pathologies. Hope he's got that filial love shared by twins, and not the sociopathic tendencies of those perfectly possessed...

All this is hypothetical, of course ;-)

[Aquinasfan]

In a sense, cloning is the ultimate form of masturbation -- a self-centered act of pleasure, utterly devoid of passion, and ultimately narcissistic.

I think you have succinctly captured the essence of cloning.