Adults Quote by Charles Krauthammer
![“What politicians do not understand is that [Ian] Wilmut discovered not so much a technical trick as a new law of nature. We now know that an adult mammalian cell can fire up all the dormant genetic instructions that shut down as it divides and specializes and ages, and thus can become a source of…” quote by Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/378/charles-krauthammer-1232_adults_what-politicians-do-not-understand-is-th_303695.jpg)
“What politicians do not understand is that [Ian] Wilmut discovered not so much a technical trick as a new law of nature. We now know that an adult mammalian cell can fire up all the dormant genetic instructions that shut down as it divides and specializes and ages, and thus can become a source of new life. You can outlaw technique; you cannot repeal biology. Writing after Wilmut's successful cloning of the sheep, Dolly, that research on the cloning of human beings cannot be suppressed.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Opinion column, The Washington Post, 1997
Biology imposes limits that law cannot override; cloning shows adult cells retain full genetic potential.
In simple terms: Science can’t be outlawed, only regulated.
Key Takeaway
Respect biological constraints when shaping policy.
Themes
ethics
science
law
technology
policy
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
ethical
policy
When to use this quote
- bioethics debates
- legislative drafting
- public education
- research funding
- clinical applications
Key Concepts
genetics
cloning
cellular potential
regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies balance scientific freedom with ethical concerns?
- What safeguards are needed for emerging biotechnologies?
A Different Perspective
Legal bans may be ineffective if they ignore underlying biology.
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![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
