Cloning Ancient Trees--and what else?

I recently learned of a project in which a small non-profit organization plans to clone some of the largest and oldest trees in the world and use these clones to create new forests.  This project, known as the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, will collect genetic material from such trees as Coastal Redwoods, Giant Sequoias, Giant Irish Oaks and others and develop infant trees with genetics identical to those of their parents.  These infants will be planted and nurtured in different parts of the world where conditions are favorable for growth.  The largest and oldest of each species will be sought.  Why?  Because these are deemed to have the strongest genetics thereby creating the most sustainable forest where planted.

Redwood forests are difficult to establish because of the unique conditions under which they thrive and the  ecosystem they produce to sustain the forest.  But it can be done as one can see in a visit to Stow Grove Park in Goleta.  There a grove of redwoods, planted a century ago, reaches skyward, promising to be the largest and most noble trees in the Santa Barbara area.

The first planting by the Archangel project took place last December near Port Orford Oregon where thousands of Coastal Redwood and Giant Sequoia clones were planted.  This grove is being watched with great interest.

As I ponder the growth of these tree clones, I wonder about cloning humans.  There is, of course, cloning research going on in the form of therapeutic cloning in which cells identical to an individual’s own are injected to replace damaged or disintegrated cells.  Early results are expected in repairing severed nerves, eye damage and other cellular damage.

 

But what about cloning entire humans?  Would it be good to have copies of some of the greatest leaders, scientists and statesmen of our time to enhance our gene pool?  It’s a controversial subject, but I’m opposed to it.  It’s too hitleresque.  I expect that it won’t happen during my lifetime.

In the meantime, I will watch with interest the results of the Archangel project.  Please read about it at http://www.ancienttreearchive.org/.