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Liberal Leaders Oppose Human Cloning as Threat
to Humanity
The Center for Genetics and Society yesterday released a letter signed
by 100 liberal leaders and experts condemning cloning and eugenic
engineering. "We need to ensure that these powerful new genetic
technologies don't spin out of control and undermine social justice and
democracy," said Dr. Marcy Darnovsky, Associate Executive Director of the
Center for Genetics and Society. "Human cloning could be a gateway to a
frightening new kind of eugenics, where discrimination and inequality are
permanently written into our genetic code."
The letter states in part:
- The new technologies of human genetic engineering are among the most
consequential technologies ever developed. If used wisely they hold
great promise for preventing and treating disease, but if misused they
could lead to a future more horrific than any we might imagine.
These technologies are being developed at a frenzied pace. The general
public has had little real opportunity to understand and consider their
full implications. There are few significant controls over their use.
The implications for individual integrity and autonomy, for family and
community life, for social and economic justice and indeed for world
peace are chilling. Once humans begin cloning and genetically
engineering their children for desired traits we will have crossed a
threshold of no return.
- We are long-time advocates for human rights, the environment, and
social justice. We are strong supporters of women's health and
reproductive rights, disability rights, and biomedical research. We
believe in the inherent equality and human dignity of all people. We
want to help ensure that our descendants live in a world in which these
values are sustained and nurtured.
The entire letter and list of its signatories can be viewed at
www.genetics-and-society.org/signon-letter.htm
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