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DNA©
For every person fretting over the possible ethical dilemmas that could come with human cloning, you'll find another ten who are working out how the new technology could make them a quick buck. One such company that has sprung up in response to the public's mass aversion to cloning is San Francisco's DNA Copyright Institute (DNACI). The company claims to be able to provide you with legal ammunition should anyone decide to clone you without your express permission.
For a tidy $1500, DNACI takes a sample of your DNA, which it will store on its databases. You will then be presented with an attractive brass or aluminium plate engraved with the details of your registration. In the event of an unauthorised individual creating a clone with your DNA blueprint, you can then produce your engraved plaque to prove your ownership of the initial DNA strands, and presumably receive unimaginable compensation.
Paranoid Celebrities
DNACI espouses the theory that once human cloning technology becomes a reality, it will be open to fraud and abuse in the same way celebrity memorabilia is currently spawning a booming counterfeit market. If, for example, a DNA sample was taken from a glass that a movie star had drunk from, it could be used to clone that individual. DNACI claims the registering of copyright would entitle the original owner to compensation for the unauthorised use of their DNA.
To some extent the company relies on the paranoia of celebrities and "highly-desired or high-profile individuals" who may be so worried about their genome being duplicated by "rogue elements of society", that they are willing to fork out for this bizarre status symbol. DNACI CEO Andre Crump admits, however, that no celebrities are yet sufficiently concerned about the creation of doppelgangers to have signed up for the service. Perhaps many would welcome duplicates of their glamorous selves!BR>
Double-trouble
There is some doubt though, as to whether the DNACI's copyright promise (or its jaunty accompanying plaque) would stand up in court. For a start, the US Copyright Office doesn't recognise its authenticity, and it's questionable whether registering with the company would be sufficient evidence to prosecute in a court of law. According to the Copyright Act of 1967, copyright protects expression. This can include literary, dramatic, and musical works; pantomimes and choreography; pictorial, graphic and sculptural works; audio-visual works; sound recordings; and architectural works. The copyrighting of DNA is an area left mysteriously unexplored, although it can probably be safely said that DNA is hardly an expression, and certainly seems out of place amongst the creative mediums covered by copyright law.
At this stage, the United States has a bill awaiting Senate attention that will ban human cloning. But a number of "rogue elements" are willing to experiment with and implicate the practice with or without governmental authority. It's these individuals the DNACI wants you to be afraid of.
Although DNACI seems to be jumping the gun to a degree, and their practices seem gimmicky, there will potentially be cases in the future where people will be cloned without consent. But in these cases, there would surely be instant and severe retribution for the perpetrators, with the proof of cloning being decided by a simple DNA test, rather than the ownership of a bronze plaque.
beyond2000.com |
