What do all of these have in common? At one time in history they all had valid uses, some medicinal, and some practical. During their heyday they were applauded by the leading citizens of society as necessary for a modern, civilized life. Best of all, they were completely safe.
Nothing to worry about.
Yet as our science progressed, we determined that each one had some very negative properties. So we made changes.
We found less addictive means of pain control.
We put warning labels on harmful substances.
We removed what we could from common household items.
In most cases we have shunned these evils of mankind.
And yet....
I recently read of story from the Telegraph, a publication from the UK. You may have heard of the uproar in the UK and Europe regarding the beef they are buying off the shelves. It's from cloned animals. And it's not labeled.
In other countries, it is illegal to sell cloned meat without the proper labeling. In addition, the correct paperwork has to be filed indicating that cloned beef has been brought into the county. Apparently this didn't happen the way it's supposed to. Yet in America, we have no labels on our beef. Conventionally grown hamburger can, and is, mixed in with hamburger from the offspring of cloned beef. It seems that the American public at large is basically unaware that this happens. Many who are aware have no problem with consuming the offspring of cloned beef. So what's the big deal overseas?
Joanna Blythman reports, "Cloning can sound like a neat, useful science. What farmer wouldn't want to make Identikit copies of his best milker or his leanest, fastest-growing pig? In reality, this technology is hopelessly hit-and-miss, generating a steady roll-call of deaths and defects. First, the embryo has to be implanted into a surrogate mother using a potentially painful surgical procedure. If they do not miscarry, these mothers often don't give birth naturally and must instead undergo a caesarean."The “big deal” in Europe is that the people recognize that there is not enough empirical data, hard evidence, that the cloned meat is exactly like it's natural counterpart. While I appreciate science and the many benefits it has brought to the masses, I do not think it wise to accept the verdict that cloned beef is in every way exactly like it’s natural counterpart. Like the list that started this post, could cloned beef go the way of the many things once deemed safe, but then condemned?
And one last thought. Why is it that we try to improve on what God has already ordained only to find that His way was best after all?
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