For one to be another

Thomas Agrusti

Ethical well-being

Joe Oyler

April 11, 2012

For one to be another

                Personally, I shall begin this topic bluntly. I find nothing truly wrong with cloning. In and of itself, genetic engineering is no more morally wrong than surgery or medication inside the bounds of modern technology.

The primary reason why I find nothing wrong with it is due in part to the fact that I believe in a nurture based upbringing, that a person’s genetic make-up does not dictate who they truly are. This is based on how the person was raised. Ergo, every person through my knowledge of the human mind, is a relatively blank slate psychologically, with the exception of definitive genetic traits. These traits would include, but are not entirely limited to , one’s biological make up, i.e. hair color, skin tone, eyes, etc. , as well as any genetic disease or ailment. In this manner,  person can be psychologically affected if the previous parent had autism, down syndrome, or any other type of genetic mental illness, however, other psychological traits, such as ambition, fear, intelligence, creativity, and charisma are all learned.

Continuing this debate, I feel the topic only evolves into my idea that all human psychology is malleable to a certain point, this point being after an extreme amount of conditioning has already been applied, or after one reaches a stagnant age. I believe that any person, be it through the swapping of parents, or the raising of one in a lab, can be conditioning and behaviorally raised to think and act in a certain way. Through conditioning, you can craft any person to become what you want. Genetic is a small, if not insignificant player in this equation.

In all these ways, I also feel that all things are right with consent, due to the fact that I adhere to a self-driven sense of morality and growth, a person being the master of their own lifestyle and, thereby, all of their actions being raised by their own cognition. Therefore, if a person so wished to subject themselves to scientific research to any degree, I feel they should be allowed that. If a person wanted to have their body “donated to science,” they should be able to. Who are we to restrict that person’s ability to use and create from their own body? I also believe that the advancement of human control, i.e. the control over our own lives with pursuit towards immortality, is a form of human evolution, with our advancement being vastly inevitable.

Many may still believe in the immorality of cloning, and I must say, neither of the philosophers that I have read felt sympathetic to my viewpoints in anyway, as they were more passive in their arguments, as well as apprehensive. I feel that I should be nothing but active in my stance, and joyously waiting to see more of what scientific advancement and research shall bring. I feel that my principles and points of view were upheld within my contemplation of the subject, and feel that many evolutions of humanity present an amazing opportunity for our future. We are a growing species, and the more we restrict it, the slower we grow, like putting a plant in a closet. But, bring the plant into the light, and it will grow and blossom into a beautiful masterpiece, as will we.