Cloning

Recent news indicated that a woman who lost her beloved cat after 17 years had it cloned. The new kitty looked exactly like the original and had the same temperament and personality, said she. I am not sure if we should react by Wow! or Whew! Incidentally, the cat had expired when she had the DNA removed plus a reported $50,000 made the cloning a reality.

If this is possible, and it seems that it is, we old timers better be careful because one of our grand kids might take some DNA and clone us when we're gone.

Some of you might find this consoling. You'd be remembered by another generation or two, blemishes and idiosyncrasies and all. Others might be bothered by this (although little could they do about it from the abode of the dead). Perhaps most of us would prefer to rest in peace.

Now I can hear you exclaim that we are a long way from cloning individuals. Pets, maybe, but not people. And you may be right. Sure, there will be those who will attempt to clone people, clandestinely if necessary.

Our civilization may frown on cloning people but may be powerless to prevent it. Moral as well as judicial laws may or may not be effective.

It wasn't clear in the article about cloning the cat but I assume it was cloned first as a kitty which grew into adulthood (or is it cathood or felinehood?).

The woman in question wouldn't have to wait quite as long for her kitty to become a cat as a stealthy grandchild would have to wait to enjoy a cloned grandpa. In fact, he or she would be grandparents themselves with a grandparent who is a bit younger.

So, it seems to me this is another senior moment we need not worry about. Reminds me of the old lyrics I haven't heard in ages: I'm my own grandpa.

This cat to kitty story appeared about the same time as the awful Indian Ocean Tsunami in which thousands of innocent children were consumed along with adults, citizens and tourists alike. Some of us sat glued to our TV screens in disbelief. Being eyewitnesses to perhaps one of the greatest disasters ever witnessed is disturbing.

To discover the lifeless body of an innocent child or an infant might be more of a cause for cloning were it possible. And legal. And moral. And risk free. And affordable.

Until then, I am not going to be in a hurry to either condemn or bless cloning. At times this seems to come awfully close to trying to play God. A kitty, perhaps. But a human being? On the other hand, let's face it. Some of us are just not worth cloning even if it were possible.