I would like to respond to the naive report discussing the proposed reanimation of cryonically-preserved fossil humans. The article states, first, that we are not prepared, as a society, for exposure to these should-be-dead humans. However, it goes on to say that it is the function of our scientific agencies to limit the hazards that might attend the reanimation project, and, as soon as they solve all the technical problems, we can proceed without worry. Letter to the Editor:
The article fails to address what is, to me, the central question. Of course, we CAN melt these folks down, and we can probably find a way to integrate them, as individuals, into our society without too much fuss. What I want to know is, WHY SHOULD WE? Do we want to clone dinosaurs and turn them loose? Should we resynthesize the smallpox virus? Do we wish to have Australopithecines as in-laws? No, these people lived their lives and had their shot, now let them bite the dust and meet their maker.
All humor aside, I must protest that reanimating people and giving them a second chance, solely for the reason that they were rich (and vain) enough to have themselves frozen, perverts the laws of evolution, and of a sane society. I can’t overstate my abhorrence to this whole concept. What keeps our species vital except the knowledge that we all must die, and so must make our marks on the future quickly and decisively? Where do innovations come from except from our young? Limited resources dictate that, if we are to welcome the soon- to-be hordes of dusty demi-corpses, we’ll have to limit our own reproduction and stake in the future. And don’t forget, many, if not most, of these corpsicles will be reproductively active, spreading genes back into the population which have already been eliminated through natural selection. Further, how will we be sure that great grandpa doesn’t come back to pay suit to his own progeny?
The people from those best-forgotten times had a saying: “you only go around once.” Let’s hold them to it.
A Concerned Citizen