Master, It's Alive

I'm currently about halfway through Frankenstein. It really is a book that's far ahead of it's time, and tackles serious issues like bioethics and the moral responsibilities of a creator. Back when it was written very few really thought that it would ever be possible to bring life into previously inanimate matter - but now? Now it's uncomfortably close to home. Issues like cloning and genetic engineering have blurred (if not actually crossed) lines that we previously considered immutable. Shelley was clear concerning whether or not we should stray into the 'playing-God' field and I'm inclined to agree with her, but she doesn't stop there. Once we have given in to temptation (as mankind invariably does) there are consequences and we will have responsibilities, the like of which we've never had to deal with. Yes, men and women have been creating new life since our species was born, but that's not quite the same as the clinical construction or fundamental alteration of living beings wholly other than ourselves. Building creatures and infusing them with life puts us in the role of Creator, not ex nihilo, but the next thing to it. And that's where it gets sticky. In the self-centered worldview held by much of the world (too many Christians included) if we make something, it's ours to do with it as we like. I made my sandcastle and I can smash it if I want to. The point stressed by Shelley is that if we make someone, then we have duties that we must perform to and for them. To rule, to guide, to teach and to love. To be the supreme authority forever (under God) of our creature and to be answerable for their actions. To accept responsibility for all the myriad consequences of such an enormous act. And if we choose neglect our duties? We will (intentionally or not) make monsters who will terrorize us by their deeds and torment us with regret by virtue of their very existence.