Critical Thinking Blog #3: Tentative research topic: The Promise and Peril of Human Cloning in Kazuo Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go"

A possible topic for my research paper is the field of genetics and human cloning; I am interested in this topic because Science is a field of study that bases its principles on experiments, research, and evidence rather than the technicalities that involve religious or humanistic beliefs. However, in my personal opinion such theological and philosophical ideas should not be disregarded, when considering the moral and ethical issues that encircle the notion of producing an exact human replica, due to the fact that creating a being whether it may be done in a natural or unnatural manner, would still implicate concepts which we humans as an advanced species have still not been able to completely explicate or understand. Furthermore, I believe that the human brain and its complexities are one of the world’s most intricate mysteries, therefore the artificial creation of one, should not be simply be regarded as any other experiment. Thus, it would implicate concepts that are mystifying such as the existence of the self, the spirit, the conscious, and the concept of emotions in a human clone alike those in an original human being. Moreover, after watching the film Never Let Me Go, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel I agree that the moral and ethical perils of therapeutic human cloning outweigh the promise of curing diseases through this future technology. My standpoint in this subject is based on the idea that if a genetic copy of the anatomy and physiology of a human can be produced; in particular that of the human brain, then the same neurological and chemical reactions from neurotransmitters that play a role in the psychological and the emotional aspects of a human would play a role in a human clone as well. Therefore, it would be immoral and unethical to regard a clone, as one would deem a microorganism in a petri dish, for the reason that the clone itself is in fact a living and breathing organism with the same capabilities for emotion and thought processing as that of a human being.

Furthermore, in the case of human cloning for the purpose of organ donations, as it is portrayed in the film, entails the question of what exactly differentiates a human clone from an actual human being? Nonetheless what are the necessary qualities or qualifications that define a life to be worthy? Let alone, what would make the life of a clone donor any less valuable than the life of the human recipient? That is to say, there are many questions that should be answered as well as theories and ideas that must be explored before considering such an incomparable leap in scientific research.

Moreover, in the film it is suggested in various instances that these human clones are just like human beings, not only physically but emotionally and psychologically as well. They are capable of different states of emotions, such as empathy, happiness, shame, fear, love, hope, sadness, anger and desperation,  hence it is their ability to feel on a subconscious level that makes the film poignant and at the same time disturbing to know that their lives will be inevitably terminated after they have completed their purpose.

In conclusion, I am looking forward to learning more about this particular topic while conducting research for my paper. Human cloning is a subject that is controversial for various reasons, thus I am interested in reading about different standpoints and opinions pertaining the perils and promises of the foreseeable possibility of such scientific breakthrough.