Issue Six

Regardless of whether Clonaid’s recent claims of successful human cloning are true or not, the world must accept the fact that the technology is in place for human cloning to become a reality. Obviously, the issue is polarizing. One side warns of the Dr. Frankenstein horrors if we decide to play God. The other points to the practical benefits–fresh, custom-grown livers and lungs to replace old, used up ones. While I guess I wouldn’t mind a new brain or esophagus after the time on mine is naturally up, cloning appeals to me for reasons other than this body-part Fountain of Youth.

If we have the means to physically replicate ourselves, couldn’t it also be possible to create a shared consciousness with our same-faced cohorts? This might seem like a bit of science fiction, but twenty years ago, Dolly the Sheep would have been likewise unthinkable. Perhaps scientists could develop a way for us to enter the heads of our personal clones. While we would retain our own personalities, we could visit our alter-egos at will. Our original selves could choose a direction for each clone, and then drop by now and then to see how it turned out. If this were the case, we could have hundreds of clones to explore ways of life that we couldn’t or wouldn’t possibly explore.

Ever regretted not being charitable enough? You could have an Altruist Clone who dedicates his life to feeding the poor and saving the Eastern Screech Owl. Sound boring? Counterbalance it with a Hedonist Clone, who dedicates himself to constant drunkenness, prostitutes, and heroin experimentation. Guilty again? Try a Non-Pedophiliac Priest Clone to clear up your conscience. You could have a Bank Robber Clone, a Rambling Man Clone, a Philosopher Clone. During any given day, you could live as astronaut and hobo, rock star and podiatrist. Donate twenty of your clones to acting and hope that one hits it big.

How much richer life would be if we were not limited to just one life. In America’s most famous poem on the subject of our decisions, “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost celebrates his decision to become a poet, yet he is still wistful for his lost choices, the roads he didn’t take. With cloning, Frost would not have to worry. He could still have been Frost The Poet, but he also could have experienced Frost The Mortgage Banker and Frost The Pornographer.

If this envisioned type of cloning takes place during my lifetime, I will spend most of my time on the couch, flipping through my different clone personalities as I watch TV.