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EXAMPLE INTERVIEW 1 EXAMPLE INTERVIEW: 7th May 2000 Note. Many of the links placed in this interview will take you to various pages on the Clone Rights United Front's web-site. Enter "www.HumanCloning.org" into your web-browser to return. [RM] Student's name: Grant ****** 1. Why are you for human cloning? (1) The reasons I am for human cloning is spelled out in the "mission statement" of "The Clone Rights United Front". [This can be accessed at: www.clonerights.com/mission statement.htm (Ed.)] 2. What do you think the best benefit is for cloning humans? (2) Benefits of human cloning are documented in "Human Cloning: A Promising Cornucopia" which is one of the articles in the CRUF's "resources" section. [This can be accessed at: www.clonerights.com/history of the movement.htm (Ed.)] 3. How many years do you think it will be until they take the ban off of human cloning? (3) There is "no enforceable legal ban on human cloning". There are invalid FDA regulations that could not withstand a legal challenge. Three states have outlawed cloning. The President has called for a "five year moratorium" on cloning. My predictions about "When Where and How" human cloning will occur are to be found in the "editorial" section of the Clone Rights United Front web site. [This can be accessed here (Ed.)] 4. How many years have you been researching the topic of human cloning? (4) I've been researching human cloning and working diligently in this field since two days after the birth of Dolly in Feb. 1997. 5. Have you made any discoveries in cloning? (5) The discoveries I have made about cloning are not technical ones, they are sociological ones. I have found most people have no real understanding of the issues involved. I have discovered that religious zealotry has intimidated Federal institutions of both government and science. I have discovered that few people have the passion which consumes me on this topic. Yet, nearly everyone has an opinion. That is usually a misinformed opinion based on science fiction. It is an opinion based on celluloid fantasies, "Frankenstein" fiction and "Brave New World" propaganda. 6. What made you want to be an activist for human cloning? (6) I still wonder what has made me an activist in human cloning. It is one of the truly great mysteries in my life. I think of it as a "special calling", a rare opportunity to really make a difference in this world. Since discovering the "disappearing twin syndrome" I have even considered that I absorbed my own twin brother and now he is driving me to fight for "his Right-to-Life". I hesitate to even propose this. But it resonates with twins who I have communicated with at Twinstuff.com. 7. Would you want to be cloned, yes or no why? (7) Would I want to be cloned? Of course, that is the purpose of the entire campaign. You might find the "personalizing the issues " section of the CRUF web site illuminating on this personal level. Also interesting is the "resources" reprint of an article from Heterodoxy Magazine entitled (terribly) "Gay Clones". [This can be accessed at: http://www.clonerights.com/personalizing the issues.htm (Ed.)]. 8. How much time have you given to the subject of human cloning? (8) I have given my life and every waking hour to this cause for the past three years. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars out of my own pocket and lost even more in neglecting my business in order to promote this cause. These days, I spend several hours every day reading, researching, downloading, printing out, filing and answering questions from people like yourself. I actually answer only those few that break new ground or that I think merit detailed responses. 9. What are the bad things that you think of when you hear the words human cloning? (9) The "bad things" that I think of when the subject of human cloning comes up are not what you might expect. I think of science fiction framing the public discussion of an important social issue. I think of religious bigots blocking funding for research that might save many human lives, including those of people like my dear friend ShaunaCutl. I think of medical researchers and scientists intimidated into science in our supposedly "free" society. I see them afraid to pursue certain research or intimidated into abandoning promising research because it wanders into taboo areas. 10. What are the good things that you think of when you hear the words human cloning? (10) What are the good things I think of whenever human cloning is mentioned? I think of every person, male, female, single or married and infertile able to have "their own children". I think of Shauna getting to live a normal and healthy life with a regenerated kidney or a new one grown in a tank. I think of my blind friend seeing again. I see AIDS being cured. I dream of denying death its traditional totality and of my unborn twin brother receiving his "Right-To-Life". I dream of living to 150 or 200 years of age in good health, looking like I'm 25 till the day I finally die at 200. I dream of everyone living longer, healthier lives. I see stem research sending cancer and heart trouble into the trash bin with polio. I see Christopher Reeve walking again. And this is the beginning of a list that could on for more pages than I have the time and energy to write. Hope these leads and direct responses lead you to new areas of thought and understanding. Cloningly yours, Randolfe H. Wicker Director, Human Cloning Foundation www.humancloning.org Founder, Clone Rights United Front www.clonerights.com
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