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Originally Posted by xepherys
Since many religious folk feel abortion is wrong, I've started thinking a good deal about the nature of the bible and what it says and what many Christians, specifically, seem to say about such matters. The reason abortion is wrong, in their eyes, seems to be that it's against god's will, or that we are somehow disgracing the "divine spark" that creates life. However, when a puppy is born, is this not the same divine spark? The spark of life? It seems to me that for this to be the case, animals would also have to have souls... something the bible says is not the case. At any rate, I digress... This argument is also used in regards to true human cloning. That it's an afront to god by way of us foregoing said "divine spark". What are your opinions?
Personally, I believe that all life has the same ethereal, intangible, spiritual base. Humans are nought but animals anyhow. I know many of you here are, like myself, no Christian, or even classified by a strict religion. However, I'd be interested to hear the thoughts and opinions of all of you, regardless of your particular religious viewpoint.
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Cloning is not a cut-and-dried case. The morality involved is complicated. The legalities are even more complex (which I think is atually the overriding factor i.t.o. why cloning is not permitted.)
Religion aside, I think you are naive if you think that a clone will ever have the same status as a human, when even human life is costed differently depending on economic, racial and religious status. All people are equal, but some are more equal than others. YOur statement that humans are merely animals is biologically correct, but also naive. I am a conservation ecologist, and I tell you that the needs of people will always overide the needs of the environment or other species. The rapid rate at which development is causing extinctions should convince you of this fact. Even if a human is an animal, we're the original, and a clone will always be a copy. Its the same as how the airport or the bank prefers original documentation of your proof of life instead of a fax/copy thereof.
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As for cloning, I think that we are not foregoing anything. That by creating life one way versus another does not prevent it from being life. From a religious standpoint, if we CAN do it, god has allowed us to, and therefore it is his will. *shrug* But again, I have more spiritual, less god-based beliefs, so perhaps I'm missing a fundamental aspect here (though I am reasonably well versed in theology as it's a topic of interest to me).
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From a religious perspective, the fundemental flaw in your reasoning here is countered by arguments for FREE WILL. Just because God gave us the ability to do something, doesn't mean that going ahead and doing it is in fact exercising "God's Will". I dont even think examples are neccesary.
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Originally Posted by willravel
I think cloning is an issue today as transplants were an issue a hundred years ago. It's a matter of people being unable to define where a soul lies and what the nature is of a soul. Is a clone without a soul? Well of course not. Twins with patching phenotypes and genotypes each have souls, so it's the same difference, IMHO.
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Your post seems to discuss cloning on two levels: Cloning organs - vs transplants. On this matter I agree with you. IN fact, I would support cloning organs if we do not modify genetic stuctures. But human nature desires improvement, and soon human existence and social stature will be based on genetic perfection, which is definately a step down from what we've achieved sofar in terms of human rights.