Cloning: Make Room for ‘Homo Superior’

* Re “House Sets the Stage for Debate on the Cloning of Humans,” March 25: Even if the U.S. government legislates an end to such experiments, I hope no one believes that this will control the rest of the world. Beyond our shores, other cutting-edge scientists will attempt to go where no man has gone before. I can’t help wondering if the unintended consequences of their efforts may not yield results far beyond anything expected.

Early efforts may not produce anything special. But, as designer genes are implanted in subsequent clones and those “upgraded” people insert more sophisticated designer genes in clones of their own making, I can foresee the development of “Homo superior” within eight to 10 generations. Then what?

We are told that Neanderthal primitive society survived successfully for millions of years. Further, we are told that approximately 35,000 years ago Homo sapiens (our apparent forefathers) came along with a superior grasp of language and the ability to form large tribes--and displaced the Neanderthal. Wouldn’t it be ironic if we created Homo superior and were in turn displaced by our own creation? Considering how we have despoiled the planet, maybe it’s not such a bad idea.

S.J. BAER

Woodland Hills