> I really, honestly don't think this issue is as complex as is being implied in this thread. The development of technology is a complex process, but if each individual were accountable for the moral validity of its application, we'd have no problems. But the real problem, of course, is that there appears to be no practical or effective way to *hold* people accountable for the uses they employ technologies for -- not to mention that different people are going to have different ideas about what uses of technology are acceptable and what uses are not.

The moral validity of cloning is on very solid ground. As a tool of medical research, the benefits of cloning are immeasurable. Example: a specimen is found that has a natural immunity to a particular disease. Through cloning, you can study that single specimen until you discover the key to the immunity.

Yes, there are many possible horrible and unethical applications of cloning. The same is true of lasers, computers, and garden spades. There are a great many things that we should not do just because we can do them. Technological advancement is about discovering what we can do.