Oprhan Black Season 2 Premiere

With the conclusion of season one and the beginning of season two, Sarah is still conflicted with the disappearance of Kira. More importantly, the Dyad Institute continues to push harder for total ownership over human DNA, presenting the audience with an ethical dilemma. 

    To date, humans have not yet been cloned, however the National Human Genome Research Institute claims we have successfully cloned single body parts as well as several types of animals. For health concerns, the stage we are currently at in genetic cloning does not suffice for total human cloning. Cloning in its current stage of research aims to clone animals for the sake of recreating the most desirable traits/characteristics for food production. Also, animal cloning can be used to save endangered species. Orphan Black is becoming more and more intriguing for the ethical questions it poses. There are currently no laws surrounding human cloning, particularly dealing the ownership of DNA. The Dyad Institute takes advantage of this and has full control over anything they produce. Aside from that issue, cloning an individual who still continues to exist calls for debate over individual identity and autonomy. Of course, two or more individuals who share the same DNA and physical appearance can lead entirely different and individualized lives (as we see in the show), but it is an issue that couldn’t really resonate with you until you are in that position. This, along with possibly belonging to the institute which created you, infringes on personal freedom, the most interesting and prevalent ethical issue Orphan Black presents us with. 



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