Who's Afraid of Human Cloning?

by Gregory E. Pence

Book Overview

Gregory Pence offers a candid look at the arguments for and against human cloning.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0847687821
• ISBN13: 9780847687824
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An Argument Against Nonsense

More than a technical look at human cloning, Pence's book delves deep into the psychological and social aspects of this groundbreaking genetic frontier. Pence deconstructs the argumnts against cloning for what they really are: social stigmas arising from the fear of the unknown, driven largely by religious idiocy and the hypnotic call of anti-science rhetoric. Pence presents many logical argumeents that can be used against much of the nonsense that pervades anti-scientific thought; indeed, I truly enjoyed his applications of Reductio Ad Absurdum, where he shows how truly absurd the arguments against cloning (and in-vitro fertilization, or IVF) really are. Example: if embryos are people (or babies, or potential persons), why, then, do religious organizations or people not hold baptisms or funerals for embryos, but rather actual, physical babies? Obviously, because embryos are not potential persons, persons or even babies! Religious people and organizations simply want to control everyone. For the person who has made up their mind, that human cloning was accurately represented in the movie BLADE RUNNER (hint: it wasn't), this book will not change their mind. But this book does make the point that human cloning, like IVF, is a reproductive inevitability and that irrational people have no right to shove their superstitious, backwards, genital-fearing ways down our throats. Pence makes clear the case that human cloning is not some sort of plot to breed armies of clones (that woul require an army of genetic donors and an army of mothers willing to gestate the babies for nine months), but rather a new way of making babies that can help infertile couples and even provide a brighter genetic furture for humanity.

Brilliant

In view of the...decision made by the House of Representatives this week on banning human cloning, this book is a breath of fresh air. It is the only book I have found that addresses the issue of human cloning with a calmness of spirit and rational argumentation. The author's arguments in favor of human cloning are concise yet powerful, and everyone interested in the bioethics of human cloning will gain a lot from the reading of this book. I only wish every member of the House would have read, studied, and thought about this book before making their awful decision. One of the House members comments were to the effect that no "mad scientist" is going to be allowed to proceed with the cloning of human beings. Such commentary by the House member is rooted in popular culture according to the author. Movies, literature, and to a large degree educational institutions have painted a picture of human cloning that has no basis in science or reality. And from my own personal confrontations with people against human cloning, his assertions are correct; most people, even highly educuated ones, have a completely distorted view about what is actually possible in today's technology. The author refutes successfully the arguments against human cloning, but also gives positive arguments for proceeding with it. I don't think the people steadfastly against human cloning will be swayed by this book, but one must remain optimistic. At any rate, the author shows convincingly that human cloning (or nuclear somatic transfer as he likes to call it) is an option that should be pursued, although with care. After reading it, one could say that a positive decision for human cloning by the citizens of our world will not lead to a "slippery slope"....but instead to a "thoughtful ascent".

wonderful

i thought this book was amazing. it's not often that you find an argument that's actually in defense of human cloning--and much less that you see anyone who's open-minded and thoughtful enough not to just blindly dismiss a possibly very helpful technology. a very well written book, it brings up important issues to the reader, and definitely should serve as required reading material for anyone who's to deal with the important decisions that will be made about cloning in the next few decades. very highly recommended!

Excellent book! Helped me wiith my extended essay!

Was I happy to get my hands on this book. Stanford's Green Library had it, and I needed to research on cloning for my extended essay (4000W). This book gives me everything I need to know, and I would like to thank Mr. Pence for such a good read and research 'mine'