Richard Seed, a physicist with a Ph.D. from Harvard, gained widespread attention in the late 1990s for his claims regarding human cloning. He had a background in fertility research since the early 1970s, co-founding a company that commercialized embryo transfer in cattle and later attempting to assist infertile women with similar techniques. Seed’s public declarations ignited a global discussion on bioethics, positioning him as a notable figure in the debate over human reproductive technologies.
The Human Cloning Announcement
In December 1997, Richard Seed publicly announced his intention to clone a human being. The announcement came shortly after the successful cloning of Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell in February 1997. Dolly’s creation, using somatic cell nuclear transfer, made Seed’s proposition seem more plausible to the public and amplified existing concerns about human cloning.
Seed’s proposed method involved taking a single cell from the adult to be cloned, fusing its genes with a donor egg that had its own genes removed using an electrical jolt. This fused cell would then develop into an embryo in a laboratory. The embryo would subsequently be implanted into a surrogate mother’s womb to develop into a person genetically identical to the original donor. Seed initially stated his motivation was to help infertile couples, claiming to have selected four couples from an initial pool of six volunteers. He later modified his intentions, suggesting he would clone himself or his wife, Gloria, believing cloning was a step toward humans becoming “one with God” and achieving an indefinite lifespan.
Global Response and Ethical Concerns
Seed’s announcement provoked immediate and widespread reactions from the public, scientific community, and governments worldwide. The general public expressed alarm, while the scientific community largely condemned his plans, often dismissing him as eccentric despite his credentials.
The ethical debate intensified, focusing on issues such as human dignity, individuality, and the potential for exploitation. Concerns were raised about the psychological risks to a cloned individual, who might be viewed as a “delayed twin” or a mere copy. There were also worries about the moral status of clones and the broader implications for human reproduction, including the possibility of women replicating themselves without male involvement.
The Aftermath
Following the initial uproar, Richard Seed’s specific plans to clone a human being did not materialize. While he claimed to have commitments for $800,000 towards a $2.5 million goal, he ultimately lacked the necessary funding and firm commitments from medical professionals or willing couples.
His announcement significantly influenced the regulatory landscape, prompting various legislative attempts to ban or restrict human cloning. President Clinton’s 1997 executive order prohibited federal funds for human cloning, though it did not affect privately funded research. In 1998, several bills were introduced in the U.S. Congress, including proposals for both reproductive cloning bans and broader prohibitions on clonal embryo creation. Although no comprehensive federal statute against cloning was passed in the 1997-1998 session, the debate sparked by Seed contributed to ongoing discussions and legislative efforts in subsequent years to regulate human reproductive cloning.