Cloned Cat Consciousness

Many research scientists involved with the study of human consciousness believe that consciousness, and behavior related it, can be explained by brain processes. In other words, what we do and who we are simply result from neural activity in the brain.

In a recent article, Consciousness is Nothing but a Word (the title belies the real nature of the article), Henry D. Schlinger argues that we cannot limit human consciousness and behavior to simple brain activity.

I would like to present one small excerpt from his article which prompted me to touch on this topic today.

Schlinger writes, "...we can understand consciousness at its most important level - that of behavior - without any knowledge of neural correlates. That's not to say that such knowledge won't clarify the brain's role in mediating the behaviors. But the ultimate explanations are to be found in the evolutionary and individual learning histories that shaped the behaviors - not in the brain."

When I read that paragraph I was reminded of a conversation I had with my wife about cloning pets, and if the cloned version would still exhibit the same behaviors as the original. My wife hates having these conversations with me, and frequently the only response I get is a blank stare. In any case I prod on...

I'll use our cat Dusty as an example. In order to be an exact match, Dusty the clone would have to have the same developmental experiences, in the same places, with the same people, as his predecessor did.

Dusty #2 would probably not live in the same house that Dusty #1 lived in, or have two other cats sharing the place with him, certainly not the exact same cats. The only things Dusty #2 would share with Dusty #1 are his genetics, his diet, and me.

As Dusty #2 developed he would not do so in the same way, therefore he could only be a clone of the original Dusty physically, not mentally, because his behavior would be influence by a different set of experiences. Dusty #2's brain would learn and develop on its own. There would be no past experience, so in that sense the cloned Dusty would be a unique cat, though he would look the same. He would be the same but different.

In order for the cloned Dusty to be an exact match he would have to be created with a brain intact, containing all of the information that the original Dusty brain retained. That would be called "data upload." Science is still working on that, and my thoughts on artificial intelligence and consciousness are an article for another day.

So, we are what we know, and we know what we live. Consciousness is certainly more than just a word.

Drew Vics is an artist, musician and writer from Northern New Jersey. He writes articles and sometimes humorous commentaries for various websites online, including EclecticReviews.com and Myeyez.net.