Group claims first cloned human born - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sean Snow · 12-27-2002, 01:13 PM

I saw this on the Compuserve main page today:

Group claims first cloned human born
A company founded by a religious group that believes humans were created by extraterrestrials said Friday that it has created the first human clone -- a 7-pound baby girl named "Eve."

"I am very pleased to announce that the first baby clone is born," said Brigitte Boisselier, the scientific director of Clonaid and a bishop in the group, called the Raelians. "She was born yesterday at 11:55 a.m. in the country where she was born. She is fine."

Boisselier refused to disclose where Eve was born but did reveal that the mother is a 31-year-old American citizen. She said Eve was created using DNA from the mother's skin cells and is a twin of her mother.

Boisselier offered no immediate proof of her claim -- or photographs of the baby. She said the baby is healthy, and that the family is "very happy."

At the conference, Boisselier said four other cloned babies are expected to be born by February.

She said that she is allowing a freelance journalist to verify her claim. To that end, freelance journalist and physicist Dr. Michael Guillen has picked a panel of independent experts to investigate.

"I have accepted on two conditions: that the invitation be given with no strings attached whatsoever and that the tests be conducted by a group of independent world-class experts," Guillen said.

The experts will begin their tests in a few days when Eve returns home, Boisselier said. Results of the tests are expected in eight to nine days.

Clonaid, which calls itself the "first human cloning company," was founded by the Raelians in 1997. The Raelian movement professes that life on Earth was created through genetic engineering by extraterrestrials.

The Raelians believe their spiritual leader -- former French journalist Claude Vorilhon who now calls himself Rael -- is a direct descendant of these aliens. He says he has met with aliens and visited their planet. Rael told CNN in July 2001 that the long-term goal for human cloning is to live forever.

Rael says the Raelians eventually want to learn how to clone an adult and then "transfer the brain to the clone." Boisselier said she hopes to one day open cloning clinics on each continent to help infertile couples have families.

To make a clone, scientists first take an egg and remove all of its genetic material. Then the nucleus of a cell -- any cell in the body -- is taken from the individual to be cloned and inserted into the hollowed-out egg.

The cell is then given a jolt of electricity or put in a chemical bath to activate cell division -- essentially tricking the cell into doing what a fertilized egg would normally do. Then the embryo is implanted into a woman's uterus who carries the baby to term.

Boisselier said Clonaid used this procedure of electricity to activate cell division for Eve.

At the conference, Boisselier defended human cloning, saying she is giving hope to infertile parents.

"Is my science, giving babies to parents who have been dying to get one with their own genes, is my science worse than the ones who are preparing bombs to kill people?" Boisselier said. "I am creating life."

Eve is one of ten implantations done by Clonaid. Five babies were spontaneously terminated during the first few weeks of pregnancy, Boisselier said. The next baby is expected to be born next week in northern Europe. Three other cloned human babies should be born by early February; Boisselier revealed that two of the expecting sets of parents are from Asia and another is from North America. She also said one couple is lesbian and two had babies who died and were then cloned by Clonaid.

Despite the success of the procedure, Boisselier said the event should be kept in perspective.

"It's very important to remember we are talking about a baby," Boisselier said. "She is not a monster or some result of something that is disgusting. She is a very healthy baby with very happy parents."

Rael and the parents of Eve were not at the press conference.

The Raelians are also not the only group claiming to actively try to clone a human.

Italian doctor Severino Antinori made several announcements in recent months, claiming that a woman was carrying a human clone, which would be born in January. And former University of Kentucky professor Panos Zavos has also announced plans to clone a human, but he told CNN earlier this year he had not successfully created an embryo yet.

While the Bush administration has not reacted specifically to the news, the president earlier this year made his position clear -- he objects to any form of cloning.

In an April 10 speech urging the Senate to support a bill banning human cloning in the United States, Bush called the practice "deeply troubling" and said "even the most noble ends do not justify any means."

"Life is a creation, not a commodity," he had said. "Our children are gifts to be loved and protected, not products to be designed and manufactured."

Central Perk · 12-27-2002, 01:18 PM

The whole idea of cloning people is kind of scary to me. I think babies should be born naturally, It's kind of scary to think that there is someone who is exactly like you. I hope the tests show that the baby is not a clone.

Stormtracker TF · 12-27-2002, 01:26 PM

I saw that on the news. I agree with Pres. Bush; Babies shouldn't be manufactured. I IMO think that cloning is evil and weird. I too hope it's not a clone.

LucyFan · 12-27-2002, 01:53 PM

I read that on the this morning's newspaper. Cloning is quite interesting yet scary. I wonder how they actually do it though.

Mijada · 12-27-2002, 01:55 PM

They are going way overboard with this cloning crap. I'd hate to see all the problems that might arise 10 yrs down the road with these cloned babies.

*Melissa* · 12-27-2002, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mijada
They are going way overboard with this cloning crap. I'd hate to see all the problems that might arise 10 yrs down the road with these cloned babies.

I agree. I think cloning is immoral. What do scientists plan to do, build a race of "perfect" people? What makes this world special is that everyone is different and has their own identity. We don't need 5 of the same person around. I've read that even if a clone's DNA is exactly the same as the original person's, they still won't be a carbon copy of the original. You have to take into account how the person was brought up, their experiences, etc. So, what's the point? Just to say they're able to do it? This world has enough problems, we don't need this crap on top of it.

TJL · 12-27-2002, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean Snow
I saw this on the Compuserve main page today:

Group claims first cloned human born
A company founded by a religious group that believes humans were created by extraterrestrials said Friday that it has created the first human clone -- a 7-pound baby girl named "Eve."

Man, And I thought I was dillusional when I drank too much...

Stormtracker TF · 12-27-2002, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mijada
They are going way overboard with this cloning crap. I'd hate to see all the problems that might arise 10 yrs down the road with these cloned babies.

Me too. I'm glad the U.S isn't going to have anything to do with that cloning junk.

Quote:

Originally posted by Slayer Faith I agree. I think cloning is immoral. What do scientists plan to do, build a race of "perfect" people? What makes this world special is that everyone is different and has their own identity. We don't need 5 of the same person around. I've read that even if a clone's DNA is exactly the same as the original person's, they still won't be a carbon copy of the original. You have to take into account how the person was brought up, their experiences, etc. So, what's the point? Just to say they're able to do it? This world has enough problems, we don't need this crap on top of it.

I agree with you, this world already has enough problems, and I think cloning will only bring more.

DarleneIllyria · 12-27-2002, 05:23 PM

I think cloning humans is a waste of time. Why can't they do something useful like cloning hearts or endangered animals? Nope, I take it back. They shouldn't clone at all. If you clone organs and stuff, a person will never die. Who wants to be 150 years old and still living?

Georgia's on my Mind · 12-27-2002, 05:29 PM

*shutters* I hope this isn't real....

Impressions · 12-27-2002, 06:03 PM

I don't think cloning is the answer to people's problems. Clones will not be exactly same copy of the original or how you want them to be, since they are living in a different generation unlike the original copy, they are going to have different life-styles of there own. They might have the same DNA, but they are still different from the original. If scientists clone, they're playing somebody who they aren't, if scientists keep producing clones, they can easily take over and change history.

Barnabas1 · 12-27-2002, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
Who wants to be 150 years old and still living?

Georgia's on my Mind · 12-27-2002, 06:24 PM

I think this is just a waste of time, IMO we should be working on rebuilding Vivien Leigh's rose garden instead of doing this.....lol.

webuster · 12-27-2002, 06:50 PM

I'd like to say to you all I disagree with you. Cloning should be allowed. Lesbian women may want children, or completely infertile couples. Everyone has the right to have children, whether or not they're a copy. What is immoral however is having these 'catalogue' babies that are customised, it makes all other children feel there's something wrong with them if people are doing this. Couples who always have children with life threatening disabilities should be allowed cloning, It isn't wrong, people just pass an idea on before thinking, more money should be put into research for new methods of birth, and healthier babies, instead of warfare for killing people. As long as the clones will be healthy, with no triple aging afflictions or other deseases occuring in every clone- then cloning should be allowed.

Warm & Fuzzy · 12-27-2002, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
I think cloning humans is a waste of time. Why can't they do something useful like cloning hearts or endangered animals? Nope, I take it back. They shouldn't clone at all. If you clone organs and stuff, a person will never die. Who wants to be 150 years old and still living?

Exactly.

Why not just let nature take its course and stop interferring with what is, and will happen?

12-27-2002, 01:13 PM	#1
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	Group claims first cloned human born I saw this on the Compuserve main page today: Group claims first cloned human born A company founded by a religious group that believes humans were created by extraterrestrials said Friday that it has created the first human clone -- a 7-pound baby girl named "Eve." "I am very pleased to announce that the first baby clone is born," said Brigitte Boisselier, the scientific director of Clonaid and a bishop in the group, called the Raelians. "She was born yesterday at 11:55 a.m. in the country where she was born. She is fine." Boisselier refused to disclose where Eve was born but did reveal that the mother is a 31-year-old American citizen. She said Eve was created using DNA from the mother's skin cells and is a twin of her mother. Boisselier offered no immediate proof of her claim -- or photographs of the baby. She said the baby is healthy, and that the family is "very happy." At the conference, Boisselier said four other cloned babies are expected to be born by February. She said that she is allowing a freelance journalist to verify her claim. To that end, freelance journalist and physicist Dr. Michael Guillen has picked a panel of independent experts to investigate. "I have accepted on two conditions: that the invitation be given with no strings attached whatsoever and that the tests be conducted by a group of independent world-class experts," Guillen said. The experts will begin their tests in a few days when Eve returns home, Boisselier said. Results of the tests are expected in eight to nine days. Clonaid, which calls itself the "first human cloning company," was founded by the Raelians in 1997. The Raelian movement professes that life on Earth was created through genetic engineering by extraterrestrials. The Raelians believe their spiritual leader -- former French journalist Claude Vorilhon who now calls himself Rael -- is a direct descendant of these aliens. He says he has met with aliens and visited their planet. Rael told CNN in July 2001 that the long-term goal for human cloning is to live forever. Rael says the Raelians eventually want to learn how to clone an adult and then "transfer the brain to the clone." Boisselier said she hopes to one day open cloning clinics on each continent to help infertile couples have families. To make a clone, scientists first take an egg and remove all of its genetic material. Then the nucleus of a cell -- any cell in the body -- is taken from the individual to be cloned and inserted into the hollowed-out egg. The cell is then given a jolt of electricity or put in a chemical bath to activate cell division -- essentially tricking the cell into doing what a fertilized egg would normally do. Then the embryo is implanted into a woman's uterus who carries the baby to term. Boisselier said Clonaid used this procedure of electricity to activate cell division for Eve. At the conference, Boisselier defended human cloning, saying she is giving hope to infertile parents. "Is my science, giving babies to parents who have been dying to get one with their own genes, is my science worse than the ones who are preparing bombs to kill people?" Boisselier said. "I am creating life." Eve is one of ten implantations done by Clonaid. Five babies were spontaneously terminated during the first few weeks of pregnancy, Boisselier said. The next baby is expected to be born next week in northern Europe. Three other cloned human babies should be born by early February; Boisselier revealed that two of the expecting sets of parents are from Asia and another is from North America. She also said one couple is lesbian and two had babies who died and were then cloned by Clonaid. Despite the success of the procedure, Boisselier said the event should be kept in perspective. "It's very important to remember we are talking about a baby," Boisselier said. "She is not a monster or some result of something that is disgusting. She is a very healthy baby with very happy parents." Rael and the parents of Eve were not at the press conference. The Raelians are also not the only group claiming to actively try to clone a human. Italian doctor Severino Antinori made several announcements in recent months, claiming that a woman was carrying a human clone, which would be born in January. And former University of Kentucky professor Panos Zavos has also announced plans to clone a human, but he told CNN earlier this year he had not successfully created an embryo yet. While the Bush administration has not reacted specifically to the news, the president earlier this year made his position clear -- he objects to any form of cloning. In an April 10 speech urging the Senate to support a bill banning human cloning in the United States, Bush called the practice "deeply troubling" and said "even the most noble ends do not justify any means." "Life is a creation, not a commodity," he had said. "Our children are gifts to be loved and protected, not products to be designed and manufactured."
	__________________ If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." - John F. Kennedy

12-27-2002, 01:26 PM	#3
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	I saw that on the news. I agree with Pres. Bush; Babies shouldn't be manufactured. I IMO think that cloning is evil and weird. I too hope it's not a clone.
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12-27-2002, 06:50 PM	#14
webuster Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 26, 2002 Posts: 2,150	I disagree. I'd like to say to you all I disagree with you. Cloning should be allowed. Lesbian women may want children, or completely infertile couples. Everyone has the right to have children, whether or not they're a copy. What is immoral however is having these 'catalogue' babies that are customised, it makes all other children feel there's something wrong with them if people are doing this. Couples who always have children with life threatening disabilities should be allowed cloning, It isn't wrong, people just pass an idea on before thinking, more money should be put into research for new methods of birth, and healthier babies, instead of warfare for killing people. As long as the clones will be healthy, with no triple aging afflictions or other deseases occuring in every clone- then cloning should be allowed.

12-27-2002, 01:18 PM	#2
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	The whole idea of cloning people is kind of scary to me. I think babies should be born naturally, It's kind of scary to think that there is someone who is exactly like you. I hope the tests show that the baby is not a clone.

12-27-2002, 01:53 PM	#4
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	I read that on the this morning's newspaper. Cloning is quite interesting yet scary. I wonder how they actually do it though.

12-27-2002, 01:55 PM	#5
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	They are going way overboard with this cloning crap. I'd hate to see all the problems that might arise 10 yrs down the road with these cloned babies.

12-27-2002, 05:23 PM	#9
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	I think cloning humans is a waste of time. Why can't they do something useful like cloning hearts or endangered animals? Nope, I take it back. They shouldn't clone at all. If you clone organs and stuff, a person will never die. Who wants to be 150 years old and still living?

12-27-2002, 05:29 PM	#10
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	shutters I hope this isn't real....

12-27-2002, 06:03 PM	#11
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I don't think cloning is the answer to people's problems. Clones will not be exactly same copy of the original or how you want them to be, since they are living in a different generation unlike the original copy, they are going to have different life-styles of there own. They might have the same DNA, but they are still different from the original. If scientists clone, they're playing somebody who they aren't, if scientists keep producing clones, they can easily take over and change history.

12-27-2002, 06:24 PM	#13
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	I think this is just a waste of time, IMO we should be working on rebuilding Vivien Leigh's rose garden instead of doing this.....lol.