Throughout the semester in English 110 I’ve been asked to complete a number of different essays in which utilizing other pieces of text to either support or complicate my own ideas has been a requirement. One, that I consider as a notable example of this skill is the most recent essay assignment in which I was required to pick any topic that I consider to be a problem in society and use both “Necessary Edges” by Yo-Yo Ma and “The Future of Science is…Art?” by Jonah Lehrer, as well as an additional source of my choice as evidence to support how the societal issue of my choice could be benefited by art. In response to the assignment, I chose the controversial issue of human cloning and the ethics or, lack thereof, surrounding the conversation. In my essay in which I entitled “The Ethics of Human Cloning“, I utilized a quote from my additional source as a gateway into a commonly disputed point among both scientists and society in response to the newly refined technology that is human cloning. The following is an excerpt from my essay in which I introduced a quote that I feel opposed my point of view:
Some, like Joseph Fletcher, an American professor and founder of the theory of situation ethics, believe that not only is it our right to possess this power; but that mankind is better off for it. After John Lederberg, a Nobel Laureate for Physiology or Medicine openly expressed his support towards cloning and genetic engineering in a 1966 article claiming that such practices were “appropriate means to improve the human race,” (Häyry, Matti) Fletcher was among the first to react. In his response, Fletcher notably argued that “humankind would be better off replacing the clumsy traditional way of making babies and the ensuing genetic roulette by well-controlled cloning and genetic engineering. Happiness consists of the preference satisfaction of individuals; and the individual’s freedom to do what one wishes is paramount.” Later adding, “Parenting is a social, not a biological activity; and power over nature, including our own reproduction, is science’s gift to us.” (Häyry, Matti)
The following text is my response to Fletcher’s quote, along with my use of a quote by Jonah Lehrer that I felt complicated Fletcher as well as supporting my own thoughts.
If “power over nature, including our own reproduction” as Fletcher states, is in fact, “science’s gift to us” then is this really a gift the human race should be quick to accept without weighing out the consequences first? And if we were to take a step back and examine the possible outcomes of practicing human cloning, then what approach in doing so would best provide the clarity to consider the things that should be considered here? Well, it so happens that the angle we need here is art. In the context of exploring and understanding neuroscience, author Jonah Lehrer suggests the art can provide this clarity. He says “By taking these artistic explorations seriously, neuroscientists can better understand the holistic properties they are trying to parse. Before you break something apart, it helps to know how it hangs together.”(Lehrer, Jonah pg.3) In this instance, the holistic properties of cloning to be considered would be the means of reproduction as they exist in nature, completely untouched by science. In taking the time to really appreciate the incredible piece of machinery the human body is and learn to see the beauty in its divine manufacturing as someone would stand in appreciation of the beauty displayed in a piece of art may allow for a well-deserved reevaluation of our choice scientifically alter human reproduction.
When I think back to the beginning of the semester in the first and, even the second essay in which I was asked to utilize quotes and ‘engage in conversation’ with them and use them to either ‘support’ or ‘complicate’ my thinking, remember feeling confused as to what that even meant, let alone how to do it successfully. However, now I feel as though not only do I understand this task but that I could even consider it as a strength of mine.
