1. Cloning Pets

There are now a number of companies who will clone your pets for you. This costs up to US $100,000. The process is quite reliable and will take about 6 months.

Should people be allowed to clone their pets?

2. Superhumans

The American defence research team is investigating the creation of transhumans – genetically modified humans who would be stronger and healthier. Biotechnology has created body enhancements that can alter many aspects of the human body. Brain research is another area that could result in human enhancement.



Should we allow technology and science research enhance our bodies to create superhumans?

3. GM Foods

Science has been used to alter the DNA of plants to either make them healthier (golden rice) or easier to grow in poor countries (GM aubergine). Sometimes GM foods are safer than the organic ones – NZ’s killer organic zucchini. Many people believe GM plants are harmful for people and the environment.

            Should we continue to have GM foods?

4. GM pets

Animals can be genetically modified so they have interesting traits such as tiny size, large ears and being glow-in-the-dark!!

Should we modify animals just so we can have fun pets?

5. Head transplants

Medical research has now made this possible. Some people suffer from body wasting diseases while their minds are perfect. Other people are ‘brain dead’ with healthy bodies.

Should these healthy bodies be used for head transplant surgery for the ‘healthy brain’ patients?

6. Designer babies - selecting embryos for gender, deafness, athletic ability

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis can be used to select for certain traits before the embryo is implanted for pregnancy.

These traits can be gender, eye colour or specifically wanting a genetic condition such as dwarfism or deafness. The process can also be used to screen for genetic diseases.


Should we be able to screen for designer babies?

7. Xenotransplantation - using animal organs to save humans

Organ transplants save human lives. There is always a shortage of available human organs, and many animal organs would be suitable.

Should we use animal organs for human organ transplants?

8. De-extinction – bringing extinct species back to life

DNA can be recovered from any extinct species and cloning technology will soon make it possible to bring these animals back to life.

Should we resurrect our extinct animals from the dead?