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First monkey clones created in Chinese laboratory

Dragonfly

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First monkey clones created in Chinese laboratory - BBC News


Identical long-tailed macaques Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua were born several weeks ago at a laboratory in China.Scientists say populations of monkeys that are genetically identical will be useful for research into human diseases.
But critics say the work raises ethical concerns by bringing the world closer to human cloning.


So, is it a good thing or a very dangerous thing?

Potential cure for disease, of science-fiction DOOOOOOM????
 
Not sure I see the legitimacy of the ethical debate.

But I do see issues with the potential to reduce the human species to a single population of identical individuals as it relates to the ability to evolve as needed.

Imagine cloning an entire species only to discover a deadly susceptibility to an easily-transmitted disease that eventually breaks out and kills off every member of the species where in a more diverse population at least some favorably-mutated individuals might have survived to reproduce.
 
First monkey clones created in Chinese laboratory - BBC News





So, is it a good thing or a very dangerous thing?

Potential cure for disease, of science-fiction DOOOOOOM????

No need to panic.

I created three individuals with a mixture of my genetic material and my fellow scientist's (also my wife) genetic material in our laboratory, each contributing approximately half. All seem to be fairly healthy, with no genetic abnormalities noted, and the laboratory is no worse for the wear, although we have needed a new mattress periodically.

Seems to have worked out pretty well, except for the astronomical expenses of keeping them alive and functioning. I'm talking hundreds of thousands of dollars over decades.
 
No need to panic.

I created three individuals with a mixture of my genetic material and my fellow scientist's (also my wife) genetic material in our laboratory, each contributing approximately half. All seem to be fairly healthy, with no genetic abnormalities noted, and the laboratory is no worse for the wear, although we have needed a new mattress periodically.

Seems to have worked out pretty well, except for the astronomical expenses of keeping them alive and functioning. I'm talking hundreds of thousands of dollars over decades.
:lamo
 
Not sure I see the legitimacy of the ethical debate.

But I do see issues with the potential to reduce the human species to a single population of identical individuals as it relates to the ability to evolve as needed.

Imagine cloning an entire species only to discover a deadly susceptibility to an easily-transmitted disease that eventually breaks out and kills off every member of the species where in a more diverse population at least some favorably-mutated individuals might have survived to reproduce.

Hence the reason why genetic diversity is so important in any population. Enables the chances of adaptation when there are environmental challenges and stresses.
 
As long as they don't go cloning dinosaurs and making dino parks, i see no problems
 
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