Double Identity by Margret Peterson Haddix, the author of the popular Shadow Children series, included a new science fiction twist to the plot of this book. Many readers are familiar with the futuristic third child dilemma faced by Luke Gardner in the book, Among the Hidden, and the six books that followed it. Double identity was published in 2005, before the last two books of the Shadow Children series. I wonder if Haddix was sensing the end of her popular series at the time, and was looking for a new angle of science fiction to push a different series for her readers.
Dolly is the famous sheep that was cloned by Roslin Institute in Scotland in 1996. There was a debate started among the public pertaining to cloning long before this very public event about the ethics of cloning, and the possibility of cloning people. In the book Double Identity, Bethany discovers the reasons behind her parents strange behavior is the result of some scientific research her father has done in the area of cloning humans. Her parents attempt to hide her in the small community where they grew up with Aunt Myrlie, whom she never knew existed. After she is continually mistaken for her dead sister Elizabeth, receives strange looks from the community members she meets, and recognizing a dark stranger that seems to be following her, Bethany begins to piece together the mystery of her existence. Is it possible her dad was successful in cloning the first human being?What would be the big deal? Wouldn't it be fascinating to create a clone of yourself? Think of the medical advances that could take place. What if you needed a new organ to stay alive, and there isn't a matching doner? What do you see as the ethical issues of human cloning? I wonder if it has already been done, but we just don't know about it. If they can produce a sheep? Why not a matching sister?
I think that we have to make a choice, if we clone are they a science experiment or really a twin sister of brother? Will we value the clones like a brother or sister or just a box of spare parts? I wonder how that will go.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding questions. I think Bethany felt that way through the book until she found out the real truth of her existence.
DeleteI think that they should try it on humans, it would help if you got hurt you would just borrow stuff from the clone. I also think it would help if you always wanted a twin sister or brother, i think that it would really help. But there is a bad side if we cloned lots of people,then population would just go higher and higher!
ReplyDeleteBorrow parts?!!! I don't want to be your clone. We can't have people just for donating parts. Did you read Chase's comment? Overpopulation is already a problem, isn't it?
DeleteI agree Mr.kohl with a clone for every one we would need a bigger planet! Cat we just grow the certain parts we need? we are all ready?
DeleteI also think that they should clone humans and I think it would be fun. I would like to hang with my self without feeling lonely, when your board you could hang with your self, or hang with your friends Clone.
ReplyDeleteBack to the last book....why cant they clone another sister for the one who is alive.
ReplyDeleteBook:Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children