Dr. Kevin FitzGerald of Loyola University, a geneticist, Jesuit priest, and bioethicist, joins Art Bell to dissect the stunning news of Dolly the cloned sheep and what it means for the future of humanity. His rare combination of disciplines makes him uniquely suited to address the science, ethics, and theology colliding in this breakthrough moment.
The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of cloning, from the mammary cell technique used at the Roslyn Institute to the prospect of growing replacement organs and its unsettling implications. FitzGerald explains why cloning armies would be genetically vulnerable, how cancer cells hold paradoxical clues to immortality, and why insurance companies gaining access to genetic data poses a serious societal threat. Art pushes hard on whether a clone would possess a soul, drawing FitzGerald into profound territory.
This episode captures a pivotal moment in scientific history as the world grapples with a discovery Art compares to splitting the atom. FitzGerald brings measured wisdom to a debate already spiraling into panic, offering listeners both intellectual grounding and spiritual perspective on the dawn of genetic manipulation.
