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To: BBC
Radio London (Vanessa Felz) |
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| Dear Vanessa, | |||
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As someone with a strong
belief in Providence (others might call it God, but I
have no time for holy (inadequate) scripture), I am very
concerned by many modern developments, particularly
those relating to the manipulation of human fertility.
Notwithstanding that it is
extremely difficult to know where to draw the line, I
believe that it has already been overstepped.
But nothing can be done about
it at the moment. The researchers and fertility clinics
do their work in the name of "progress" and wanting to
help people, but like everyone else, though loath to
admit it, are driven primarily by economic forces:
concern for their job, social status source of income
etc.
Helping people to satisfy
their legitimate wishes is one thing, helping them to
satisfy ANY wish is quite another, but there is no
consensus (and no prospect of getting one) on
differentiating between the two. Finally it boils down
to the economics of supply and demand. If there is a
demand and enough money to back it up, someone will find
a way (legal or not) of supplying it.
I do not wish to belong to
such a society, which it is already with us and getting
even worse. But what to do about it?
Create an alternative, "nonymous"
society (within existing mass, anonymous society) in
which one of the conditions of citizenship is an
"identity file", backed up by biometrics and a DNA
profile, so that members are in a position to know, when
circumstances demand it, who exactly their fellow
citizens are. This "identity file" would include
a "pedigree" containing information on the manner and
circumstances of an individuals conception.
At the moment I'm the only
member. What about joining me, Vanessa? Or do you want
to reserve your right to give birth in your 70's, have a
clone made of yourself, or have a child with a future
girlfriend? You could always leave again if you wanted.
Best regards from
Roger (Hicks)
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