Cloning

[tony mattar]

In terms of cloning, especially of that of humans, how does The Church respond to this statement: " if God created man, and cloning comes from man, how can it be wrong" ?

[Matthew]

Murder and stealing come from man as well. God is the author only of what is good. Man is the author of evil.

Or we could say that God is the primary cause of our actions but in so far we commit sin it is due to a defect in the secondary cause, not in the primary cause.

[tony mattar]

okay that makes sense, i agree. i was asked the question from a friend who does believe in a "higher being" i.e. God, but still agrees that cloning is not bad as it brings life to the world and i couldnt seem to give a convincing notion to uphold Church Teaching.

[DavidObeid]

Hi Tony,

Show him that his principle isn't right even if he dresses it up in noble sounding sentiments.

Good isn't synonymous with bringing life into the world without respect to method, otherwise rape could be justified for example.

[tony mattar]

Hey David,
yeah that sounds good.
thanks

[Matthew]

I think your friend, Tony, is missing the general principle that there are immoral ways to obtain things good in themselves. It is good have clothes that protect the body and dress it modestly, but not if I steal them off someone else.

[tony mattar]

Matthew,
yeah i agree with that, would this therefore relate to the concept of "you can't do something morally wrong to try achieve something good" ?

[DavidObeid]

That's right.

Romans 3:8
And why not do evil that good may come? —as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.