Cloning Around

The ethical questions surrounding human cloning and stem cell research cannot be answered without deciding what rights a human embryo has, and that cannot be decided without first deciding what human rights are and where they come from.

In this philosophical essay (updated from controversial but popular public talks to university student, professional and community groups in 2002-2003), these questions are approached and answered in the context of a secular, objective theory of ethics and rights. Because of the nature of rights, embryos have no rights: and legal enforcement of such "rights" actually violates human rights.