The Atlantic Out Loud The Clones Are Here
Jun 3, 2025
The podcast dives into the fascinating world of animal cloning, focusing on the quest for superior livestock and cherished pets. It tackles ethical dilemmas and societal resistance, particularly surrounding cloned horses. A deep exploration of human cloning reveals moral controversies and the impact of private funding. Philosophical questions about 'cellular memory' and the implications of AI sentience add layers to the discussion, leaving listeners to ponder the future of cloning in both animals and humans.
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Public Resistance to Cloning
- Despite technological progress, 61% of Americans still consider animal cloning morally wrong.
- Cloning challenges social and ethical norms around biology and reproduction.
Clone Health and Longevity Advances
- Studies show if clones are born healthy, they age normally and live as well as non-cloned peers.
- Early cloning had health issues but recent advances have greatly improved animal outcomes.
Surrogate Mares' Sacrifice for Clones
- Surrogate mares, often rescues, carry cloned embryos repeatedly despite health risks.
- Vet teams prioritize saving valuable clones over surrogate mothers in complicated births.