Clone and clone....

[Sarah90]

"Scientists in South Korea have succeeded in obtaining stem cells
from cloned human embryos. Thirty embryos of about 100 cells were
created and used to harvest stem cells that later differentiated
into a variety of tissue types. The findings offer hope for treating
disease through so-called therapeutic cloning but are sure to
revive ethical debates. "  Scientific American:  http://clickexacttarget.com/?fe8c1173736d017b74-fe2b167073670d78771174
...cripes...what a ref !

It's inevitable that human cloning is going to proceed...regardless of the many umbrellas under which it is proceeding at this time, and the so-called reasons, many of which are valid; and the restrictions...  many of which we know will be ignored.

What will be the outcome in say...30 years ?...50 ?  

[Orstio]

The potentials of cloning are both frightening and exciting.

I think we all have a good idea of the frightening part.

But, imagine having a limb cut off in an accident, and waiting only a few months to have a brand new one replace it.  Instead of artificial joints (knees,hips,etc.) replacing damaged ones, people could get a brand new healthy joint complete with his/her own DNA to replace it.

Eyes and ears could eventually be grown to replace ones that were damaged or diseased.  Even teeth could be regrown rather than resorting to dentures.

Cloning has the potential to significantly increase the quality of our lives.

[remcook]

...and the quantity of life

[Thinker]

Hmmm...

`Tweak' the various cloned replacement parts a bit at the DNA level.  You not only get a new organ - its a improved organ.  And if the improvements carry over into your offspring...

hello, Homo Geneticus

Of course, this does fall into the `wild thought' catagory...

[xir]

i dont think that a genetically modified organ would be able to passed on hereditarily, unless the modifications were made directly to either replacement testies or ovaries.

Still im not sure on the overall effect of this new technology, even if it is developed it will be decades before it will be efficient, cheap and quick enough to replace conventional treatment. And i could see each organ being a new challenge