NP Biopolitics

[jbor]

Cloning is just like taking a cutting from one plant to propagate another.
Isn't it? And, genetic mutation is how we've gotten to where we are:
"naturally". I keep coming back to the ethics rather than the technology.
The purpose. 'Boys from Brazil' is totally indefensible. Mens rea. And
breeding "more beautiful" humans is a bit like propagating prize roses. Not
unethical but pretty pointless: a waste of time, money and resources. But
using genetic modification to eradicate, say, multiple sclerosis, or to
breed, say, blight-resistant wheat in Africa ... well, I'm inclined to
believe that anyone who opposes either of these projects is on the wrong
side of the ethical divide.

Or, to bring it back to _M&D_, using "Hospital Blankets [...] 'to convey the
small-pox to the Indians'" (307) is a bad thing, Washington's "small patch"
of hemp, "planted as an Experiment" (278) not so. Both are examples of
bio-technology: it is the ethical imperative in either case which differs.
Even George's admission that, "if it prospers", he might extend the hemp
plantation to become a "Market-Crop" for "Profit" does nothing to diminish
the substantive utility of the future harvests.

best


on 8/2/02 2:12 PM, Otto at o.sell at telda.net wrote:

> "What unites social conservatives and progressives on cloning issues is
> their commitment to the intrinsic value of life and their opposition to what
> they perceive to be a purely utilitarian perspective on biotech issues. To
> be sure, the social conservatives and left activists differ in the "life
> issues" they embrace and champion. The former crusade for what they regard
> as the rights of the unborn and family values and rail against infanticide,
> euthanasia and pornography. The latter speak out on behalf of the poor,
> women, abused children, fellow animals and the global environment. Both
> groups come together in opposition to cloning -- but for different reasons."
> Jeremy Rifkin, The Nation, February 7, 2002
> http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=12367
> 
> 
>