Common Misperceptions about Cloning
Common Misperceptions about Cloning
Like the title suggests, Lee M. Silver’s essay “Cloning Misperceptions,” touches on a very controversial topic. In very recent history the process of cloning has been in the back of many of our minds. Setbacks such as politics, religion, and the uncertainty of our own morals have hindered the process of cloning from becoming an everyday reality. In “Cloning Misperceptions,” Silver discusses the possible outcomes of clones in different societies by exploring previously posed scenarios from books, movies, and factual events, as well as some of his own. Silver’s overall effort is to get people away from the common stereotypes of cloning and educate them on the reality of cloning and the effects it would have on us.
One of the first stereotypes Silver tries to get us away from is the definition of cloning and the way people perceive it. “It’s a horrendous crime to make a Xerox (copy) of someone.” (Rottenberg, p.224) The quote refers to the belief that cloning will result in a society consisting of endless copies of the same person. Although this would be a valid point if it were true, it is not the case. To support his argument, Silver uses a popular movie as a reference to show why people might have this notion. To further advocate his point, he gives an accurate but understandable explanation of what cloning is. Silver sums up his idea by stating his own opinion. “Once again, it is the inability of many people to appreciate the difference between the two meanings of “life” that is the cause of confusion.” (Rottenberg, p.224) He uses this to reinforce the fact that cloning is more than just making a copy of something (a fact he uses throughout the essay).
It is also a notion to think that if a person is cloned, then they will not be as good as the original (much like an audiotape). Along with this comes the question of weather or not the clone would have a soul. In his next argument, Silver tries to get people away from these. Again Silver gives references to a couple of movies and a book where clones play the role of exact copies of their original. To add to the list he brings in the religious view of cloning by quoting...