The always provocative Stanley Kurtz addresses the negative effects of cloning on the two-parent family structure. First, I think Kurtz is overestimating the number of reproductive clones that will be produced in the near future-the first human clones will probably be very sick and die quickly in misery, discouraging the vast majority of narcissists from investing so much $$$ into a project so likely to produce an imperfect version of themselves.
But what if clones are healthy? Kurtz makes some good points-and I’m not going to address them right now, but there is one thing I thought of: who better to raise you than yourself? After all, if 50% of behavior and personality is genetic, a cloned parent will have already won half the battle in anticipating the mischief and needs of their clone-child. Evolutionary psychologists will often assert that one reason step-parents are much more likely to abuse is because they have no genetic relationship to the child. By this logic, clone-parents should be especially doting and attentive (something they are likely to be already, as the only thing a narcissist could love besides themselves, is a reflection of themselves at a more youthful and beautiful stage). It should be especially easy to have empathy with someone who is, though autonomous and differentiated from you, made of the same raw materials. Of course, this sort of thing can lead to problems as well. I just bring these issues up because cloning can be more complicated after the repugnance wears off.
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