Within the very first chapter of Brave New World, Huxley shows us an experiment lab in Europe full of eggs, gametes, and embryos being raised inside. The students even take notes on the process, advantages, and purpose of these future humans and the heads are competitive with other countries' labs. What is the first reaction to this situation you have? Do you think it is ethical to raise clones in a lab? Do you find the characters' demeanors disturbing? What are the advantages and disadvantages in your eyes? My first reaction was a disgusted reaction to the indifference of the students taking notes. I also found the whole cloning process a sad reminder of how some science leaks into the hazy area of whether or not it is ethical. I realized that sometimes the scientists only think of the advantages over their enemies or advantages in survival without a thought or care for the actual humans that they experiment on. This cloning presents a large army or an easy way to populate a nation in a particular way, but in the real world, the 'clones' (just like twins) would have personalities and needs of their own. Is it right to expect something of someone before they intelligently are able to make a decision?
I would have to agree with Emma, this method of reproduction is unethical. The fact that they compete with other labs and production centers makes it appear as though the humans they are producing a merely pieces of a game they play to be the most productive and most "civilized" center. I do feel there are a few advantages to their society, for they managed to rid themselves of illnesses, diseases, and grief. They begin to introduce toddlers to the concept of death and discourage the formation of emotional attachment to others so death can be viewed as simply a part of life. This may eliminate the pain of mourning and grief, but without an emotional bond between humans, they miss out on other feelings of comfort, companionship, and love that humans experience. So yet again their conditioning has proved to be a grey area, for viewing death as a process of life is an advantage, but missing out on bonds and emotions takes out the human aspect of a person.
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