The issues listed here can easily be considered "dangers of technology," although many also consider them scientific marvels of the computer age. Read a variety of sites, look at as many sides of the issues as you can find, and think carefully about the philosophical arguments involved with implementing these technologies. As this is rather "bleeding edge" stuff, try to find the most recent information possible. Some of the sites below are as "old" as 1997. Make sure you check dates whenever possible.

Cloning

There are lots of sites out there on cloning: human cloning, sheep cloning (remember Dolly?), cell cloning for medical purposes, and others. I've provided a sampling below. If you're interested in working on this issue for your Dangers of Technology paper, you should do your own search, and read as many sites as you can. Keep in mind that there are many sides to this issue; make sure you are well informed before you start your argument. You should also know there was a bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives this past summer that banned cloning in many forms (some felt it was too restrictive). My understanding is that the Senate has not yet debated the issue (but according to the Sunday news shows, they will soon).

• Nov. 25, 2001 BREAKING NEWS on human embryo cloning, from MSNBC.com
• An introductory essay on cloning, by Rosa Beddington, from The National Institute for Medical Research (U.K.)
• Global Change A clearinghouse of articles and links pertaining to cloning. I think the image of multiplying humans at the top of the page is kinda scary!
• A review of two books on cloning can be found here at Reason Magazine Online.
• This article, from MSNBC, provides a good discussion of the Weldon bill to ban all cloning in the U.S., and introduces other related biotechnological issues, such as the use of human stem cells.
• Scientific American magazine provides a number of excellent articles on cloning (and this is a very reputable and approachable source). I'll list a couple below, but if you're interested in cloning, go to SciAm's homepage and do an internal search.
  • A discussion of the Weldon Bill that would ban cloning in the U.S.
  • Cloned Mice Die Early
  • Human Embryo Cloning

• Dream Technologies International. This is a web site devoted to human cloning. This takes on a whole new significance after 11/25/01. Nevertheless, this technology is currently impossible to implement, so read this page carefully.
• Missyplicity.com. This site is devoted to an attempt to clone a beloved pet dog. I originally added this site because the idea was rather laughable. After the cloned kitty last spring, however, it, too, takes on a whole new significance. Things change quickly.

Bioengineered Foods

Once again, there are lots of sites out there on bioengineered foods. I've provided a sampling below. If you're interested in working on this issue for your Dangers of Technology paper, you should do your own search, and read as many sites as you can. Keep in mind that there are many sides to this issue; make sure you are well informed before you start your argument.

• The FDA. The article from the Food and Drug Administration asks and answers some commonly asked questions about bioengineered foods. The FDA is no longer maintaining this site, but it still contains good, introductory information. Read this, then follow the link to the FDA itself and more recent information.
• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. This side-agency of the FDA deals specifically with bioengineered foods. This site lists many related articles and links by year. I've sent you to the "Consumer Information" section, but scroll up and down for other info.
• Genetic Foods in Canada. This is a list of some commonly bioengineered foods. Keep in mind that American and Canadian lists may differ. Nevertheless, I thought you could at least scan over this list to see what's being done and why.
• Safefood.org. Provides a Fact Sheet and Q & A page.
• The Organic Consumers Association. This group does not support bioengineered foods.
• The Alliance for Bio-Integrity. Take a guess as to whether this group supports bioengineered foods.

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