1993 Articles

Beyond Cloning

Pollack, Robert

The document titled "Beyond Cloning" by Robert E. Pollack, published in The New York Times on November 17, 1993, explores the ethical implications and potential risks associated with the emerging technology of human cloning and transgenic manipulation. Pollack reflects on the work of Dr. Jerry L. Hall and his colleagues at George Washington University Medical Center, who successfully cloned human embryos, bringing society closer to the possibility of genetically engineered humans. Pollack discusses the science behind transgenic technology, where genes from different organisms are recombined and inserted into embryos, raising concerns about the potential for unintended consequences, such as the introduction of new genetic diseases.

Pollack warns that the first transgenic children would not be like volunteers testing new therapies but would be born with any errors introduced during the procedure. He emphasizes the need for a broad public discourse involving not only scientists and physicians but also religious leaders, politicians, educators, and parents, to carefully consider whether such technologies should be pursued. Pollack ultimately questions whether transgenic medicine can ever be ethically justified, given the inherent risks and the lack of guarantees that all experiments will succeed without causing harm. He calls for governmental oversight and public hearings to address these profound ethical concerns before proceeding with the creation of transgenic human embryos.