Comparing and Contrasting Jekyll's Experiment to the Process of Cloning

709 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Consequences of human cloning

“It was the curse of mankind that in the agonized womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling. How, then, were they disassociated?” (Stevenson 66). In the book, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry Jekyll was trying to create a potion that would separate the evil and good in a human being. His goal was to try to get them to be two different personalities instead of just letting them combine and be one. Jekyll believed that this would create an easier way of living. Jekyll’s experiment is very similar to scientific experiments in the world today. One example is cloning. Cloning is taking a human or non-human organism and making an exact copy of the organism that is being, using a somatic cell. The goal is to have two separate beings after the experiment is done. These two philosophies, Jekyll’s theory and cloning, are very similar to the World Transhumanist Movement. This movement’s goal is to better the human race by the use of technology and science. Jekyll’s experiment has many differences and similarities to cloning. Such as, both are very risky, cloning deals with creating a whole new being, while Jekyll was trying to create two different beings in one, and that both experiments are very difficult to perfect.
The experiments of Henry Jekyll and the process of cloning are both very risky. Jekyll’s experiment can damage him long-term, physically, mentally, and emotionally. “…had I risked the experiment while under the empire of generous or pious aspirations…” (Stevenson 69). This experiment affected his morals and beliefs. The proof of how much harm the experiment caused was that it brought so much pain and terror to the life of Jekyll. Jekyll could no...

... middle of paper ...

...t beings within one, good and evil, while cloning tries to create a whole new being. All three concepts believe that these experiments are very risky, and that they take a long time to perfect. Humanity should not continue the practice of cloning. There are too many risks and it is very unreliable and unpredictable.

Works Cited

• "Dolly (sheep)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Feb. 2014. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. .

• Lindsey, James. "What Are the Risks of Cloning?" What Are the Risks of Cloning? N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. .

• Stevenson, Robert Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Toronto: Bantam, 1981. Print.

• "UK TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION." UK Transhumanist Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Dr Jekyll's Monologue

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    “That in the agonized womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling. How, then, were they dissociated?” (Stevenson 57). This is our main character, Dr Jekyll’s, continuous inner monologue. He constantly wants to know why he’s the way he is and who the “polar twin” really is. Dr Jekyll switches between himself and Mr Hyde; one good and one evil. This can be supported numerously throughout the book. Two reasons to support this being that Dr. Jekyll shared the same handwriting as Mr Hyde; the other being that Hyde walked right over a child, harming the child, and continued walking without caring (“The man trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming on the ground,” Stevenson 11.)

    Read More

  • Dr Jekyll And Hyde Character Analysis

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde” is a novella written in the Victorian era, more specifically in 1886 by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. When the novella was first published it had caused a lot of public outrage as it clashed with many of the views regarding the duality of the soul and science itself. The audience can relate many of the themes of the story with Stevenson’s personal life. Due to the fact that Stevenson started out as a sick child, moving from hospital to hospital, and continued on that track as an adult, a lot of the medical influence of the story and the fact that Jekyll’s situation was described as an “fateful illness” is most likely due to Stevenson’s unfortunate and diseased-riddled life. Furthermore the author had been known to dabble in various drugs, this again can be linked to Jekyll’s desperate need and desire to give in to his darker side by changing into Mr Hyde.

    Read More

  • Cloning: Has Science Created A Frankenstein?

    1933 Words  | 4 Pages

    "(261)". We can not undo what has been discovered and we must ensure that all countries involved with cloning form a committee to monitor the uses of this technology to ensure that it is used in the best interest of mankind. Works Cited Bishop, Michael J. - "The 'Bishop'" The "Enemies of Promise" The Presence of Others. C Comp. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruskiewicz.

    Read More

  • The Injustice Of Cloning In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    954 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Cloning represents a very clear, powerful, and immediate example in which we are in danger of turning procreation into manufacture.” (Kass) The concept of cloning continues to evoke debate, raising extensive ethical and moral controversy. As humans delve into the fields of science and technology, cloning, although once considered infeasible, could now become a reality. Although many see this advancement as the perfect solution to our modern dilemmas, from offering a potential cure for cancer, AIDS, and other irremediable diseases, its effects are easily forgotten. Cloning, especially when concerning humans, is not the direction we must pursue in enhancing our lives. It is impossible for us to predict its effects, it exhausts monetary funds, and it harshly abases humanity.

    Read More

  • The Positive Potential of Human Cloning

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    .... Until a successful attempt of creating life emerges in upcoming history, the possibility of cloning may never reveal its truth. Matters of opinion judge the positive and negative outcomes of artificial animal reproduction, and numerous instances prove its everlasting positive outlook for world community, science, and theology.

    Read More

  • Science, Technology, and Morality in Shelley's Frankenstein

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Science is not inherently evil and never will become evil. Though the knowledge gained from science can be used toward producing evil, intended or not, and can be dangerous. The story of Victor Frankenstein shows the irresponsibility possible in the advancement of science and furthers the caution which humanity must take when it attempts to master its environment or itself. The proponents of cloning humans today should remind themselves of the lesson which Victor Frankenstein before they have to deal with the products of their research and learn the hard way.

    Read More

  • Morality of Cloning

    1537 Words  | 4 Pages

    In conclusion, it is clear to see that cloning is not the taboo it has been made out to be. It is a new boundary that humanity has never encountered before and so it is understandable that people have qualms about ‘playing God’ by shaping a life. Although some might argue that it is immoral to clone human beings, the truth is that it is unethical not to. Given that such technology has the potential to save millions upon millions of lives, not tapping into that industry would have dire consequences on the future. In this case, the ends more certainly justify the means.

    Read More

  • Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Character Analysis

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll has a desire for splitting his personalities and taking pleasure in two different lives. A sinister, malicious, abnormal, small man would control one life while; an honorable, wise doctor would control the other life. Dr. Jekyll produces a potion, which allows

    Read More

  • The Science of Cloning

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the essay, Cloning Reality: Brave New World by Wesley J. Smith, a skewed view of the effects of cloning is presented. Wesley feels that cloning will end the perception of human life as sacred and ruin the great diversity that exists today. He feels that cloning may in fact, end human society as we know it, and create a horrible place where humans are simply a resource. I disagree with Wesley because I think that the positive effects of controlled human cloning can greatly improve the quality of life for humans today, and that these benefits far outweigh the potential drawbacks that could occur if cloning was misused.

    Read More

  • Allowing Cloning

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    In earlier times the subject of cloning human beings has been no more than just a fantastic idea to play around with in science-fiction books and movies. As time progresses though, more and more fantasies become realities. Such is the case with cloning. What has only been dreamt up before by artists on pen and paper can now be performed by scientists in laboratories. With the ability to clone humans now possible the question of whether such an act should even be carried out is raised. How far should cloning be allowed to go if it should even be allowed at all? The answer is that cloning should be allowed, but only in moderation.

    Read More

  • Jekyll And Hyde Duality Essay

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stevenson focuses on two different characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but in reality these are not separate men, they are two different aspects of one man’s reality. In the story, Dr. Je...

    Read More

  • Of Science And Technology In The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde

    2193 Words  | 5 Pages

    Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a story based in the eighteenth-century, displays the tension of science vs. religion and the fear of technology spiralling out of control. Dr. Jekyll throughout the novel combines science and the supernatural, which is regarded by those of traditional science as nonsense (Stevenson 12). An example of this is highlighted within a conversation between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Lanyon over the types of radical science Dr. Jekyll was pursuing. Lanyon calls Jekyll’s scientific methods “unscientific balderdash” (Stevenson 12) revealing that there is a divide between the two scientists. Lanyon is the embodiment of the traditional, as he places extreme importance on honesty and truth, whereas Dr. Jekyll can be looked at as the supernatural, someone who experiments with what is uncanny. This is important when understanding the fear of one’s morality or of one’s self as we see newer science separating from traditional science. However, the outcome of this is that Jekyll is unable to control the darker, supernatural side of his modern scientific methods, leading to death and

    Read More

  • Jekyll and Hyde: Duality of Human Nature

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a riveting tale of how one man uncovers, through scientific experiments, the dual nature within himself. Robert Louis Stevenson uses the story to suggest that this human duality is housed inside everyone. The story reveals “that man is not truly one, but two” (Robert Louis Stevenson 125). He uses the characters of Henry Jekyll, Edward Hyde, Dr. Lanyon, and Mr. Utterson to portray this concept. He also utilizes important events, such as the death of Dr. Jekyll and the death of Mr. Lanyon in his exploration of the topic.

    Read More

  • Reasons to Ban Cloning

    591 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cloning is defined as the process of asexually producing a group of cells, all genetically identical, from a single ancestor (College Library, 2006).” Cloning should be banned all around the world for many reasons, including the risks to the thing that is being cloned, cloning reduces genetic differences and finally it is not ethical. Almost every clone has mysteriously died even before they are born.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Vistor Frankenstein and Henry Jekyll

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two horrific tales of science gone terribly wrong. Shelley?s novel eloquently tells the story of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a living monster out of decomposed body parts, while Stevenson?s novel describes the account of one, Henry Jekyll, who creates a potion to bring out the pure evil side to himself. Although the two scientists differ in their initial response and action to their creations, there are strong similarities between their raging curiosity to surpass human limitation, as well as their lack of responsibility concerning their actions. These similarities raise an awareness of human limitation in the realm of science: the further the two scientists go in their experiments, the more trouble and pain they cause to themselves and to others.

    Read More

More about Comparing and Contrasting Jekyll's Experiment to the Process of Cloning

Open Document