Abolishing Man

During debate over the use of human embryos for scientific research, Arlen Specter argued that there should be no debate. One hundred years from now, Specter declared, the world will look in "wonderment" that this was remotely controversial.

Perhaps. In our present world where bio-ethics has become the study of how to rationalize whatever scientists wish to do, it is understandable that many would dismiss the notion that was nearly universally held in the civilized world following World War II that eugenics and the destruction of human life for purposes of research should be off limits. The brave new world of a century from now may be a colder and darker place. Eager to please, lawmakers are rushing in where Aldous feared we'd tread.