Appalling
Scientists clone 30 human embryos: South Korean scientists have cloned 30 human embryos to obtain cells they hope could one day be used to treat disease.
I find it appalling, but not suprising, that the first verified cloning of human embryos has occured in Korea. Koreans have long wanted to acheive some scientific breakthrough or be first in the world in some acheivement. There is a feeling among many Koreans (North and South) that they are the world's cleverest people, and that the only reason they are not at their rightful place as the world's greatest nation is due to interference from Japan, China, Russia, and the United States, all of whom recognize the inherent greatness of the Korean people and have conspired to thwart their efforts at world domination.
Well, now the Koreans have indeed done something first. This has not, however, come about due to the unique scientific talents of the Korean people. Rather, it has come about due to an ethical vacuum that exists in this country. After animal cloning had been acieved the only barrier to human cloning was an ethical one. Koreans have now broken that ethical barrier. What held the West back from this "breakthrough" the Koreans can now claim as their own? Two-thousand years of Christian ethics, which even post-Christian Europe cannot so easily set aside. Korea is not burdoned with such ethical baggage, but rather follows that utilitarian and even situationist ethical system known as Confucianism.
Scientists clone 30 human embryos: South Korean scientists have cloned 30 human embryos to obtain cells they hope could one day be used to treat disease.
I find it appalling, but not suprising, that the first verified cloning of human embryos has occured in Korea. Koreans have long wanted to acheive some scientific breakthrough or be first in the world in some acheivement. There is a feeling among many Koreans (North and South) that they are the world's cleverest people, and that the only reason they are not at their rightful place as the world's greatest nation is due to interference from Japan, China, Russia, and the United States, all of whom recognize the inherent greatness of the Korean people and have conspired to thwart their efforts at world domination.
Well, now the Koreans have indeed done something first. This has not, however, come about due to the unique scientific talents of the Korean people. Rather, it has come about due to an ethical vacuum that exists in this country. After animal cloning had been acieved the only barrier to human cloning was an ethical one. Koreans have now broken that ethical barrier. What held the West back from this "breakthrough" the Koreans can now claim as their own? Two-thousand years of Christian ethics, which even post-Christian Europe cannot so easily set aside. Korea is not burdoned with such ethical baggage, but rather follows that utilitarian and even situationist ethical system known as Confucianism.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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