“Zombie” Cloned Animals

This story out of the UK is of concern. Cloned animals are having, shall we say, troubles. No surprise there. Consequently, cloners are keeping some of them penned in and causing stress, leading to aggression, particlularly among cloned pigs. Their reported solution? Get rid of the stress and aggression gene! From the Daily Mail story:“GM scientists are actively investigating ways to remove the stress and aggression gene from animals, effectively turning them into complacent zombies. The professor said it might become technically possible to produce “animal vegetables”—beasts which are ‘highly prolific and oblivious to their physical and mental status’.”

Remember, if it can be done to animals today, it may be done to humans tomorrow. So, I have a better idea. Actually, two: Why not just keep the animals in better quarters? Better yet, maybe we should just stop cloning altogether and call it a day. Our hubris is exceeding our wisdom.