Rights and Ethics of a Clone

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 03:21 PM

If a human clone were to be made (by this I mean a full human that was born via a surrogate mother but otherwise like a normal person, created for the purpose of having a child and not organ harvesting) what rights would they have? Would he have free schooling and human rights? Or could they be caged and fought in an arena?

**Omega133** · 06-08-10, 03:26 PM

It depends. Would they be let out in the real world, or kept in a labratory?

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 03:28 PM

Let's assume that everyone knows that it's a clone.
As to your question, what's your opinion?

**Omega133** · 06-08-10, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Pit

As to your question, what's your opinion?

If it's let out into the real world then it would need rights. Especially if it's sole purpose is to reproduce. If it's not let into the real world and kept in a lab, I would assume it would be "protected", but have no rights.

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 03:41 PM

Not really. We're assuming that whomever created him wanted a child but couldn't find another one to have him with. So he'd be let out into the world. But slaves go out into the world. And what rights have they?
But I mean in general. If a new law was drafted that dealt with the basic rights of clones, what do you think it should say?

**Omega133** · 06-08-10, 03:46 PM

I don't really know. What rights would a clone need?

**spidergoat** · 06-08-10, 03:51 PM

I think we could run into problems with DNA as it relates to prosecutions for crime. If two people have the same DNA, how can we ever convict someone on the basis of DNA evidence?

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 03:56 PM

Fine. What rights do you need? I suppose we can just throw away habeas corpus, everything in the first amendment, and I can finally use that mid evil stretcher thats gathering dust since you don't need protection from cruel and unusual punishment! Yippee!
Since the clone is a human then maybe human rights?

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 03:57 PM

We have twins already, yet we still use DNA evidence. But probably much less than in your CSI-fueled imagination

**spidergoat** · 06-08-10, 03:57 PM

A human being would have every right of a human being. I think there are laws against genetic discrimination.

**Omega133** · 06-08-10, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Pit

Since the clone is a human then maybe human rights?

But is it to be consdered a human?

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 04:11 PM

If it's a human clone, it would be genetically identical to the original, which would be a human, so yes

**brennus** · 06-08-10, 04:13 PM

Kinda makes me wonder what's the difference?

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 04:34 PM

One would be a clone and much younger, while one would be normal, older, and created in the usual way.

**spidergoat** · 06-08-10, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Pit

One would be a clone and much younger, while one would be normal, older, and created in the usual way.

Clones could be the same age, you can clone an embryo.

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 06:32 PM

yes, but we're assuming that a fully grown adult has cloned himself

**visceral_instinct** · 06-08-10, 06:37 PM

If it's physically human, mentally human, and wants to have a life and avoid being hurt as humans usually do, I think we should protect it like a human.

**Pit** · 06-08-10, 07:22 PM

Agreed. Why aren't their any religious people here yet? Should be hearing something about how they have no soul (Personally, I think any clone would have a soul) or how God hates clones.
On another note, see this: http://sciforums.com/showthread.php?...81#post2560181

**baftan** · 06-08-10, 08:19 PM

It would be categorically racism if we didn't allow certain rights (such as schooling and human rights) for capable brains. Our education system or human rights can not select creatures according to the identity of their DNA. We create capable brains through natural reproduction, and there is no difference if we create them through artificial methods. Forget about clones, this creature could be a robot, an android, or anything else.

If we once start to discriminate based on the identity (such as clone), nobody can guarantee for further discrimination. It's unethical, as much as a dangerous path.

**Pit** · 06-09-10, 10:39 AM

Maybe. But for a robot, when can we say it has rights?
The laptop I'm typing on now can recognize my speech for input. With a program, it can read things to me. When is it intelligent?
Interesting point.
Also, if cloning becomes commercially available, how much should the government intervene? Since there is human rights, they would need to be registered with the government and get a birth certificate.