A religious sect that believes aliens populated earth through cloning claims it has produced two human clones. The story could (and should) have easily come from the pages of the National Enquirer, but instead it was splashed as top news on all major news outlets.
The woman believed to be the template for the seven-pound girl clone, called Eve, has refused a DNA test, and yet a new Associated Press story reported Clonaid, the Bahamas-based company headed by Dr. Brigitte Boisselier, has claimed a second clone was born to a Dutch lesbian couple.
Cloning is a hot topic these days, so it’s understandable the story would be of interest to the general public.
But the claims are so extraordinary, it has become ridiculous to continue to treat the story as a straight news story. A casual news follower, one who listens to the top headlines of the day, would be led to believe human cloning has actually ocurred, though most scientists consider the claims baseless.
A company formed by the leader of a religious sect to promote the cloning of humans is blatantly publicity-hungry, and why major, respected news organizations are giving the company, its owners and its claims plenty of publicity is baffling.
Michael Guillen, a former ABC news science editor, stepped up to advocate the group, saying he’ll prove the clones are the real thing. Months ago, he tried to offer exclusive coverage to many major news outlets, but they all turned down the proposal. He said he was the only reporter who would be allowed to follow the story. Flags should have been raised at that point, as a news story should never be solicited.
The AP, the New York Times and other serious news organizations should take a stand against running story after baseless story on Clonaid, at least until the claims have been the least bit substantiated.
