The Once and Future Clone

Abstract

M y review copy of David Rorvik's sensational account of the first human clone bore three identical dust jackets. The problematic relationship between the nominally scientific subject of the book and its decidedly unscientific manner of publication was thus unexpectedly highlighted for me even before I could begin reading it. Was this an abnormality in the book's reproduction or one more inspired touch in its marketing, like the imaginative use of an Escher engraving -two hands each drawing the other-to grace the book jacket? I confess to a pang of disappointment on discovering that other bookstore copies had come into the world with only the usual single protective amnion. The actual text provided another surprise. I had frankly expected to find a crude hoax whose numerous and glaring scientific errors could be tallied up in a spirit of how-many-mistakes-can-youspot. As it turns out, Rorvik's account is a much more challenging puzzle. As a former science writer for Time and the author of several less-controversial books on the promises and perils of the biological revolution, Rorvik has acquired an extensive knowledge of current research in biology and medicine; and he has used it to good effect. In the presentation of the scientific background there are some technical inaccuracies, but no absurdities, and any misconceptions are subtle rather than egregious. The discussions of technical procedures involving micromanipulation of cells, cellular fusions, test-tube fertilizations, and embryo transfers constitute quite a lucid explanation of some very complex research protocols. If this book had addressed itself to the topic of likely research developments on the way to cloning the first Guernsey cow-without going so far as claiming that this feat had already been achieved in secret at a private bovine research station on Tierra del FuegoRorvik would have received few, if any, barrages from the scientific community. Of course, such an account would not have raised an exceptional amount of interest or been likely to sell very well. The book Rorvik did write is well on its way to accomplishing both those endsnot because it is a crude hoax, but because it is a sophisticated one. In fact, a comparison of Rorvik's account with some previous examples of the scientific hoax may be the best way of understanding the nature and significance of this current claim on our belief.