Does a clone have a soul?

[Johnboy60]

"In my opinion," says Rabbi Moshe Botschko, head of the Heichal Eliyahu hesder yeshiva, "a creature born through genetic duplication is not considered human - It is clear beyond all doubt that the life form created in some scientific institution will be an animal that walks on two feet, no more." According to Botschko, a highly respected rabbi in the French-speaking community, the reason for this is that the Creator only gives man a soul at the moment when sperm meets ovum. But the cloning process involves no sperm. The implications of Botschko's conclusion are far-reaching: "Anyone who kills a creature of this type will not be indicted, because he has not killed a man," he says.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/608432.html

 

[sidiousmax225]

This is why religion shouldn't involve itself in science. It will only lead to abuse, such as this. If we took his advice, we would use clone slave labor and have no issues with killing them.

 

[Norseman]

We have a winner! Now all we need to do is clone stem cells, you see. No harm, no foul.

 

[night2day]

We have a winner! Now all we need to do is clone stem cells, you see. No harm, no foul.

*shakes head* Only Man would be such an arrogent creation to try and play God.

 

[Norseman]

*shakes head* Only Man would be such an arrogent creation to try and play God.

God creates man in his image. Man arrogantly tries to play God. What do we conclude?

Wait, wait, didn't Jesus say that the way you treat other people is the way you treat him? 'Cause that just clicked for me. Not to be mean, it's just if you follow Genesis, then yeah, whatever you say about humanity you say about God. That thought's a keeper, I think.

Carry on.

 

[EdtheJesusfreak]

I don't know that God would withhold a soul from any human, naturally born or not. I think God wouldn't allow it to live.

 

[Norseman]

I don't know that God would withhold a soul from any human, naturally born or not. I think God wouldn't allow it to live.

So what about cloned sheep?

 

[MadeInOz]

Well, in my opinion, what we call clones now aren't really... the traditional definition of a clone in my opinion... maybe they have half a soul...

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

So what about cloned sheep?

the're just tasty is all.

 

[McCracAttack]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was my understanding that a clone is basically the same thing genetically as an identical twin.

 

[lucid42day]

"In my opinion," says Rabbi Moshe Botschko, head of the Heichal Eliyahu hesder yeshiva, "a creature born through genetic duplication is not considered human - It is clear beyond all doubt that the life form created in some scientific institution will be an animal that walks on two feet, no more."

I dunno about this. Making dubious and disparaging conclusions about creatures that don't actually exist and may never exist seems sort of like a waste of time. It is a lot easier than solving problems we actually have right now though.

 

[Kelly]

No, the clone is a person, if one is made God has a plan and purpose for his or her life just like everyone else. The Good News is available to all.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was my understanding that a clone is basically the same thing genetically as an identical twin.

True. First one out gets a soul!

 

[SpaceProg]

Clones are simply identical twins. Identical twins have souls, so logically so would cloned twins.

In my view of things, if it's alive, it has a soul.

 

[Jatopian]

Clones are simply identical twins. Identical twins have souls, so logically so would cloned twins.

In my view of things, if it's alive, it has a soul.

Ah, but what is it to be alive?

 

[SpaceProg]

There's a scientific list of what makes something alive as opposed to unalive. From what I can recall of said list a clone would fit the bill.

 

[Tabfry]

I'm not sure that an identical twin can be compared to a clone due to the fact that twins are created by a single fertilized egg deviding in the womb. Fraternal twins are simply two eggs being fertilized at the same time. When "man" has his had in creating life, that's when the soul or no soul question is asked. IMO, a clone is not like a twin. Whether or not it has a soul is not for me to decide.

 

[Illuminatus]

Ah, but what is it to be alive?

Mostly boring.

 

[christalee4]

Yes, a clone has a soul. Any human being born of any way, either through cloning or otherwise, is life, and therefore he or she has a soul, sentient feelings, awareness, ability to love, to hate, to make decisions.

 

[Izzy23]

I have to agree with the rabbi on this one. I don't think clones have souls. When God created the human form He breathed life into it. We are spiritual beings. Clones are man made and we don't have the power to duplicate anything spiritual. We can just duplicate the physical and not very well, I must say. God help us and forgive us for wanting the same power. What a charade. All in the name of science. I don't agree with the killing part, though. The law applies to all human (like) creatures. Murder is still wrong, regardless.

JMHO
Peace