Quote:
Originally Posted by astrangerhere
[...] I know that for most of us, the question of cloning of this kind is long-since decided. [...]
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I'm glad to see the qualification of "this kind", albeit a little out of place since we have very little idea of what "this kind" actually is, within this story. Cloning is a much more complicated, and at times subtle, question than some comments here would seem to envisage. I expect cloning will continue play a part in ethics debates for a long time to come.
The fact that the book does involve cloning in its plot will obviously raise some thoughts regarding the subject, but I think it's important to realise that vague concept presented in the book is far too nebulous a base from which to discuss the technicalities and ethics of cloning in our world (as opposed to the fait accompli presented in the alternative world in
Never Let Me Go).
The book also involves organ donation (or something similar), so it might also raise some thoughts regarding that subject - but the same disclaimer applies: the book isn't about organ donation and does not provide sufficient detail about the subject to form a basis for a technical or ethical discussion of organ donation in our world.
It is interesting to try and consider the book in abolitionist terms. I can see how snippets in there (particularly in the explanation presented by Miss Emily) could be interpreted in this light. It's something a reader might read into the story but I think the story itself is too one sided for it to be very convincing in this regard. The clones seem remote. There is insufficient conflict, or even basic interaction, with the wider population for slavery to feel like an appropriate analogue.
I am fairly certain there is interaction with the wider population (that scene in Norfolk seems to demonstrate that it happens), but there seems to be no sense of conflict - at least not from the perspective of the clones - merely self-inflicted isolation. The clones are accepting of their role in society. That mild and apparently ungrudging acceptance is one of the many interesting - and disturbing - things about the story.
P.S. I am
very pleased you nominated this book! I hope the flooding doesn't get too severe.