This article from Scientific American discusses the possibility, even inevitability, to clone humans. Many species have already been cloned and the cloning of extinct species is currently being experimented with. Not only being extremely difficult to accomplish, the cloning of human beings is a very morally controversial topic. This article coincides with Brave New World, because in the novel people are cloned to produce very large batches of twins. Moral and ethical viewpoints are not even considered in their world. The new information I learned about cloning from this article helped me to understand what exactly they were doing in the novel, and helped me to see the subject from different viewpoints.
Gerson, Michael. "The Eugenics Temptation." The Washington Post [Washington D.C.] 24 Oct. 2007. Web. 9 Oct. 2010
This article from The Washington Post outlines the major moral obstacles standing in the way of eugenics. While it is argued that humans already accept genetic screening and selective breeding in disabled children, the public generally rejects eugenics. Many argue that it undermines the principle of egalitarianism, basically giving the statement that all men are not created equal, as eugenics selects certain traits from the population that are considered "better" and "pristine." By creating humans of all the "best traits", eugenics would be deeming that individual greatly above the general population. In Brave New World, the people who work in the reproduction factory use eugenics to select traits for people so that they fit their position in life. They choose the best possible combination of genes to unsure that the people they are creating will be able to perform their duties perfectly, and will fit into their caste.
Gardner, W. D. "Technology Is Taking Over Americans' Lives." 22 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Oct. 2010.
Studies have proven that over half of Americans spend more time on a computer than with their spouse. Over three-fourths of Americans have been known to, at one time or another, text, instant message, or e-mail while they are driving. Technology has slowly crept up on the population of the world and is now taking over our lives, with every task now falling to some sort of technology. In Brave New World, most of the population does not really know what manual labor is. They depend on endless amounts of technology for everything. They do not even put perfume on themselves. They choose a scent, push a button, and are sprayed from a machine in a wall. The very idea is frightening, suggesting that the world will one day be like that.
Birchard, John. "Marijuana and Medical Marijuana." Topics.nytimes.com. 28 July 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2010.
Fourteen states have now legalized medical marijuana, and California is voting in November on whether or not to completely legalize it. Recreational drug use is becoming popular, with all drug users, marijuana users and cultivaters in particular, supporting the bill to legalize the hallucinogen. In Brave New World, everyone in the civilized world uses soma on an almost daily basis to escape from their troubles to a wonderful carefree world. In the novel, soma is completely legal, and is even distributed to the citizens by their form of government.
Gardner, W. D. "Technology Is Taking Over Americans' Lives." 22 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Oct. 2010.
Studies have proven that over half of Americans spend more time on a computer than with their spouse. Over three-fourths of Americans have been known to, at one time or another, text, instant message, or e-mail while they are driving. Technology has slowly crept up on the population of the world and is now taking over our lives, with every task now falling to some sort of technology. In Brave New World, most of the population does not really know what manual labor is. They depend on endless amounts of technology for everything. They do not even put perfume on themselves. They choose a scent, push a button, and are sprayed from a machine in a wall. The very idea is frightening, suggesting that the world will one day be like that.
Cherry, Kendra. "The Little Albert Experiment." Psychology.about.com. 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2010.
This article outlines the procedure of John B. Watson's experiment The "Little Albert" Experiment. The baby Albert was behaviorally conditioned to fear white mice. The experiment has been criticized by many, especially with ethical concerns. This article ties into Brave New World, in that behavioral conditioning is used in the novel. Babies are shown books and then submitted to awful noises as well as being electrically shocked. These events cause a fear of books.
