What are some of the social challenges a cloned child might face?

Answer 1

There is some concern that people would expect a clone to be identical to the original in every aspect. Even now twins face this prejudice to some extent... but in their case it is less restrictive because neither has to deal with an 'already written' life.

Imagine if we had a clone of Einstein. People would EXPECT him to do poorly in school, treat women poorly, be absent-minded, and a genius in physics. In fact there would be no reason to believe he must be ANY of these things.

And that in itself creates a problem. If everybody expect you to be one thing and you're not, what is that going to do to your development? Or worse... what if you're a clone of a criminal or a madman?

Nor is that the only problem. Might people might see a clone as being 'less than human'. After all, if he dies we can just clone another, right (as mentioned above, it doesn't really work that way)? Even worse, some religions have already overtly come out and said that a clone cannot possibly have a soul, since the soul is gained at initial fertilization and that original fertilized egg is now gone. If a substantial group of people think a clone is a non-person, they may feel no remorse about treating them as 'property' instead of people, perhaps abusing or even killing them.

There are also people who are essentially Luddites - fearful of new technology in just about any form. To them, a clone might represent competition that they just can't compete fairly with (as in the movie GATTACA). Who knows? If we clone only the genetically best people they may even be right! These people might see no option but violent destruction of these product of technology.

It bears mention, however, that these are all problem arising from SOCIETY. People reating to clones in irrational ways. Generally, the best way to combat prejudice is with experience, not avoidance. If you want to teach people what clones are REALLY like, the best way is to PRODUCE some!

Answer 2

All the kids would stand around, pointing fingers at him and calling him " clonie ". ( sorry, I could not resist )