The genetic sciences have once again become an issue in the media largely due to the remarks on cloning made by Richard Seed. His bombastic comments were quickly followed by a predictable battery of criticism aimed at this latest claim of modern science.

Theologians, politicians, scientists and the common man all seem equally incensed by cloning, genetic engineering and the mad scientist aura. This stalwart resistance is likely to continue, but like many of the novel and controversial concepts presented by science, it will only be a matter of time before the genetic sciences are accepted and then warmly welcomed.

It will be difficult to continue denouncing human genetic engineering when scientists offer us babies free of mental an physical defects, and when we are no longer afflicted with hereditary diseases or even obesity. Eventually, parents will be openly ridiculed for choosing to conceive a child without genetic screening. It will seem callous, if not cruel, for a couple not to take advantage of technology that will guarantee a healthy child. And there is also the fact that a naturally conceived child will almost certainly be condemned to a life of inadequacy when introduced to his genetically enhanced peers. Unable to make a suitable contribution to society, he will be regarded less highly than the welfare leeches of today.

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It will not be long before genetic engineering is imperative to human life, but we will have to erect a world populated by these healthy, brilliant, long-lived men and women before the greatest promise of cloning can be realized. In this milieu of the improved human being, the creme de la creme will be chosen for mass cloning. The exceptional man will be succeeded by a progeny of his own clones. Schwarzenegger-sized automatons will police our streets, while legions of Einsteins and Newtons will drive our scientific inquisitiveness.

The matrimony of cloning and genetic engineering can be likened to that ever-elusive panacea the cure-all that will purge our society of its many ills. I see a world where serial killers and sexual deviants can only be read about; where overly belligerent and addictive personalities are a thing of the past; where racial dissidents are but a memory. We will finally be rid of those strident voices that have obstinately questioned authority and harassed society’s figureheads since antiquity.

I see a world where government and parents will carefully plot the course of their child’s life. Once a profession is determined, the genetic material will be geared toward the requisites of this social function. Those vocations that fail to serve society effectively the musicians, dreamers, artists and poets may get overlooked, but is it that great a price to pay for the advancement of our species?

It will certainly make people’s lives easier and more pleasant. The humanitarian’s dream of eliminating all misery, strife and hardship from our lives may finally be realized. Each person will have a guarded place in society; they will be able to safely navigate a single path from birth to old age, never worrying about straying because they will perfectly fir the molded that was forged for them. And what of man’s rebellious nature that ubiquitous urge so prevalent in youth? That tendency will simply have to be genetically anesthetized. Nevertheless, it will be a beautifully perfect world. Even the fertile imagination of Karl Marx could never have envisioned such a place.

Once the power of genetic selection has been wrestled from Nature’s grip, we will have in effect initiated an artificial evolution (or will it be involution?). And from that moment on, the traits of the human being that will be selected for perpetuation will be those that are deemed essential to our society. Survival of the species will have become survival of the commune.

Well, Richard Seed’s 15 minutes of fame are quickly ticking away, and will soon be forgotten. But madder and more capable scientists will soon arrive, equally eager to usher in this new age of humanity an age where then human beast will be as ordered and as predictable as the grids of our city streets. The day is nearing when we will wake to the brilliant dawn of our brave, new world.