Fear In A Test-Tube Essay, Research Paper

Fear in a Test Tube

Cloning, genetically tailoring offspring, and creating the perfect human were all advances in science that seemed unattainable yet desirable. People were amazed by the myth of genetically altering DNA, and daydreamed of the day that they themselves could create another living being out of a test tube.

Mary Shelley s Frankenstein paved the way for people to imagine and believe this way. Dr. Frankenstein s animation of his creature allowed people to fathom and marvel at the wonders of creating life. Little children went from playing house to playing doctor, where they made their teddy bears come to life, while adults dreamed of creating a monster to do all of the cooking and cleaning. Despite peoples wishes they felt they knew that this sort of manipulation would never occur. Meanwhile, scientists scurried along in their laboratories all hours of the night influencing DNA.

After years and years of trial and error, scientists have finally unlocked the key to DNA, so that they hold the future in their hands. These modern advances in biotechnology have brought about test tube babies, and Dolly the sheep clone. This type of progress has conveyed a sense of fear that swept over the globe.

Such as in Mary Shelley s Frankenstein, people want what they cant have, but then when it is handed to them, they fear it and do know what to do with it. When it s presented to them it eliminates all reason for imagination and wonderment. In Frankenstein, the creation was feared due to the realization of human control over nature. This is paralleled to modern times fear of cloning, as science replacing God. So until scientists take a test tube, and grow in it the antidote for fear of biotechnological advances, mankind will continue to horror at the thought of re-creating life.