Should we clone Neanderthals?

Let's put aside for a moment the fact that we can't, and consider the ethics.

I would lean toward, "No". To me there is something unsettling about creating a being for the purpose of research.

On the other hand, there's nothing really wrong with it, either.

Quote: Mosca

I would lean toward, "No". To me there is something unsettling about creating a being for the purpose of research.

I'd qualify that as "sentient beings." Animals are cloned for research all the time.

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On the other hand, there's nothing really wrong with it, either.

Yes there is. Neanderthals were sentient and intelligent human beings. There remain many questions about them, but we know they made tools. So cloning them for research would be no different than cloning homo sapiens for research, from an ethical point of view.

Of course that's just for starters...

Quote: Mosca

On the other hand, there's nothing really wrong with it, either.

I bet they would work for almost nothing. When
can you get started?

Quote: EvenBob

I bet they would work for almost nothing. When
can you get started?

That is TOO funny. Where did that side
of you come from ?

But since they aren't humans, how are we to know that they are sentient?

Quote: EvenBob

I bet they would work for almost nothing. When
can you get started?

That does it. You will NOT see me at the pancake social!

Why is this not a poll? :)

I think the question in the title is different from what you have answered. The title does not mention "research". Suppose we just wanted to clone neanderthals simply to restore extinct species, no for any kind of a research, simply to get ourselves a company. Would that be ethical?

On a different note, Nareed, what is it in your view in cloning a homo sapiens for research? I mean we do research on humans all the time, so, obviously, it is not as simple as just doing research that makes it unethical, but, that aside, the act of giving life to a person by itself can hardly be deemed unethical by anyone. What is it then?

Quote: Mosca

But since they aren't humans

Exactly, a soul-less slave race, like Tolkein
had in Mordor. Sounds good to me.

Does the fact that Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals likely interbred and we have some of their genes change any of your thoughts.

Quote: weaselman

Suppose we just wanted to clone neanderthals simply to restore extinct species, no for any kind of a research, simply to get ourselves a company. Would that be ethical?

No.

For one thing the state of the art in animal cloning produces defective specimens right now. It may be ok to inflict that on animals, but not on people.

Eventually we may correct the process and produce healthy specimens, of course. even then, it wouldn't be right. What kind of family would the Neanderthals be brought into? We don't know they could adapt to this era, either. Conceivably they'd be the same as modern humans in a developmental sense, but there's uncertainty about whether Neanderthals ever developed language or even had the physical ability to. That would eman bringing handicapped children into the world, on purpose.

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On a different note, Nareed, what is it in your view in cloning a homo sapiens for research? I mean we do research on humans all the time, so, obviously, it is not as simple as just doing research that makes it unethical, but, that aside, the act of giving life to a person by itself can hardly be deemed unethical by anyone. What is it then?

Research on human beings is carried out with permission from the subjects. A person yet to be conceived cannot consent. It's true children and babies are sued on research, too, with their parents providing permission. but there's a big difference. Many such studies carry out harmless, non-stressful research on cognition, for example, or other broad subjects. Potentially harmful research, like cross-species transplants, are also measures of desperation to try to save a critically ill child.


So, no, cloning homo sapiens for research isn't right.