Human Cloning: An Ethical Dilemma

Now that Dolly the sheep has been cloned, or so we've been told (only her hairdresser knows for sure), the subject of human cloning is no longer the stuff of science fiction. While no one, not even Kinko's, seems to be seriously contemplating duplicating humans, the possibility does raise some major ethical issues. What authorities should make the decisions about cloning? Who would accept responsibility for birth defects? And most importantly, what if someone starts making unlimited numbers of Jack Blacks or Marilyn Mansons and releasing them into the wild? Human Cloning: An Ethical Dilemma, unfortunately, turns out to be a self important and entertainment-free look at the bioethical debate that falls short on many levels. While raising some of the issues involved, the film often oversimplifies (intercutting, for instance, stock footage of Hitler and John F. Kennedy to suggest that technology itself is not inherently evil, but can be used for the wrong reasons, depending on whose finger is pushing the "start" button). Also, the use of a Bernard Herrmann-style soundtrack paired with laboratory research footage made me think those drippy in vitro globs were about to sprout wings or turn into The Blob and attack Pleasantville. Doggedly earnest and only somewhat engaging, this is not a necessary purchase. A much better choice here would be Brave New World: Why Not Clone a Human? (VL-9/01). Aud: J, H, P. (R. Ray)