Thursday, October 17, 2013

Cloning May Facilitate Multiple Death Sentences in CA

Photo by Jacopo Werther, via Wikimedia

Some lawmakers in California are looking into modifying its laws pertaining to human cloning which would make it possible to deliver multiple death sentences to felons on death row. A recent Scientific America article, which presented some theories on how to transfer memories from a person into a clone, makes a way for convicts to be executed, resurrected, then executed again, possibly an indefinite number of times.

A few Democrats, traditionally against capital punishment, are curious about the option. A representative from northern California suggested, "Perhaps, after being executed, a convict could then be revived and possibly released if they're rehabilitated. Then we wouldn't have to go around not knowing if we'd accidentally executing someone who might have been wrongfully condemned--at least permanently."

Some Republicans are in favor of the idea, since it allows heinous offenders to finally be given the full brunt of the punishment that they were sentenced to receive.

Others in the GOP are heatedly against it. A representative from Rhode Island following the discussion has said, "Having the death sentence something that isn't final, that can be given and then retracted, is an insult to the legacy of the institution of capital punishment. I don't like the direction it would be taking our country."

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