Darvish Intelligence: Cloning Humans: The Ethical, Philosophical, and Technological Questions About Sentience and Identity

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Cloning Humans: The Ethical, Philosophical, and Technological Questions About Sentience and Identity

Cloning Humans: The Ethical, Philosophical, and Technological Questions About Sentience and Identity

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

The concept of cloning humans has been a topic of deep intrigue, particularly in the realms of science fiction and ethical debates. Films like Chappie have attempted to tackle the profound philosophical questions surrounding identity, memory, and sentience in the context of cloning and artificial intelligence. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and former socialist who has been exposed to a wide array of ideologies, I now approach these questions through the lens of my Christian Conservative LDS beliefs. Additionally, as someone with a background in cybersecurity and information technology, I have a unique perspective on the potential of such technological advancements.

Is It Possible to Clone Humans from Their Remains?

The idea of cloning humans from their remains is scientifically fascinating but fraught with numerous challenges. In Chappie, we see a robot’s consciousness transferred into a new body, creating the illusion of continuity between the old and new. In reality, however, while cloning animals has been achieved (the famous case being Dolly the sheep), the process of cloning a human remains in the realm of science fiction due to numerous biological, ethical, and technological hurdles.

Cloning involves taking a somatic cell (a regular body cell) from an individual and using it to create a genetically identical organism. However, this cloned organism is not necessarily the same "person." While Dolly the sheep was genetically identical to her donor, she was not the same sheep in terms of experiences, personality, or memories. The same concept would apply to a human clone.

Furthermore, cloning from human remains—whether preserved through freezing or other methods—would require intact and functional DNA. Most human remains, even if carefully preserved, would not be ideal for cloning because DNA degrades over time. This presents a significant obstacle in cloning humans from remains in a meaningful way.

Will a Clone Have the Same Sentience and Will the Person Remember Their Lives?

One of the central questions that emerge from the possibility of cloning is whether the clone would retain the sentience, memories, and identity of the original person. In the movie Chappie, the protagonist's mind is transferred into a robot, giving the impression that their consciousness lives on, but is this truly possible?

In terms of human cloning, even if the clone were genetically identical, the experiences and memories that shape a person’s identity are not contained solely in the DNA. Our memories, thoughts, and experiences are encoded in the brain, and when a person dies, that neurological infrastructure is typically lost. Simply cloning the body would not transfer those experiences, as the brain—the physical seat of consciousness—would not be cloned.

As a former Muslim and socialist, I once believed in the materialistic notion that the mind was purely a product of the brain, and therefore, it might be possible to artificially replicate it. However, my Christian conservative LDS perspective has led me to view the soul and consciousness as something that transcends the material. According to LDS theology, the soul is composed of both body and spirit, and while the body can be replicated, the spirit—the true essence of a person—cannot be. This understanding makes it clear to me that a clone, however genetically identical, would not be the same person. It would be a new entity with its own spirit and experiences.

Will the Clone Be the Same Person or a Different Person?

While cloning may result in a being that is biologically identical to the original person, it would not be the same individual. This is a key philosophical distinction. The clone would lack the original person’s memories, thoughts, and experiences that make them unique. As a former vegan and socialist, I once viewed identity purely through a materialist lens. Now, I understand that our identity is more than just our physical form or genetic makeup. Our spirit, our decisions, our consciousness, and our relationship with God are integral parts of what makes us who we are. From a Christian conservative perspective, the clone would be a different person altogether.

In Chappie, the question of retaining the mind and soul is explored through artificial intelligence and the transfer of consciousness. This concept delves into the deeper questions of what it means to be human—whether we are simply our bodies and minds, or if our souls play an irreplaceable role in our identity. While technology may one day allow us to replicate the brain or simulate consciousness, the soul remains a divine mystery, and no machine, no matter how advanced, can replace it.

Can We Retain the Mind and Soul Like in Chappie?

While the film Chappie raises the idea of uploading a mind to a machine and giving it sentience, the technological realities are far from achieving such feats. Transferring consciousness would require far more than just a digital copy of a brain's neural patterns; it would require understanding and replicating the unique, spiritual, and divine essence of a person. From my Christian conservative LDS worldview, I believe that such an attempt would fall short because the soul cannot be replicated by technology. In LDS doctrine, we are taught that each person’s spirit is unique and created by God, and thus cannot be artificially transferred.

In conclusion, while scientific advancements may one day allow for the cloning of humans, it is unlikely that we could ever truly replicate the original person’s sentience, memories, or soul. The clone would be a new individual with its own experiences, but it would not be the same as the original person. This is a concept that I have come to understand more deeply through both my technical background and my spiritual journey—from my past as a former Muslim, to my current understanding as a Christian conservative LDS.

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