Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 2000 No 03

Magazine Overview

This issue of "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ И НЛО" (Fourth Dimension and UFO), issue number 3 (148) from 2000, published by the Yaroslavl Public UFO Center, focuses heavily on the controversial topic of human cloning, while also touching upon space exploration and UFO phenomena.

Human Cloning: Potential and Peril

The lead article, "КЛОНИРОВАНИЕ ЧЕЛОВЕКА" (Human Cloning), explores the scientific advancements and ethical considerations surrounding the possibility of human cloning. The author argues that human cloning is closer to reality thanks to the work of Dr. Ian Wilmut and his colleagues. The article debunks common misconceptions, stating that clones would be ordinary individuals, not zombies or monsters, and would possess the same rights as any other human. It highlights potential benefits, such as allowing infertile couples to have children or enabling the replication of outstanding individuals like celebrities and scientists, thereby contributing to culture and economy. The author addresses numerous objections, including claims that cloning is unnatural, reduces genetic diversity, or could lead to the creation of 'monsters.' The piece counters these by drawing parallels with natural identical twins and emphasizing that genetic engineering, not cloning, is the process that could lead to 'monsters.' It also dismisses fears of dictators creating armies of clones, arguing that such actions would be characteristic of dictatorships, not the technology itself. The article suggests that while some regulations might be necessary, a complete ban on human cloning would be a 'sad episode in human history.' It also touches upon the potential for cloning deceased individuals and the religious objections, asserting that religious opposition lacks a firm basis and that cloning is about creating new life, unlike abortion.

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Cloning

Proposed regulations for human cloning include granting clones full legal rights, requiring written consent from the individual to be cloned, and prohibiting the cloning of minors or convicted criminals. The article stresses that clones must be carried and born by consenting adult women, ruling out artificial womb technology for now. It also suggests that cloning individuals with a predisposition to cruelty should be forbidden.

Space Exploration and UFO Sightings

NEAR Shoemaker Probe Orbits Asteroid Eros

A report details NASA's NEAR Shoemaker probe entering orbit around asteroid 433 Eros on February 14th. Eros becomes the seventh celestial body in the solar system to have an artificial satellite. The probe captured initial images of the asteroid, revealing a crater approximately 5 km in diameter. The article notes that the probe's orbit is currently close to calculated parameters, with a minimum distance of 327 km from the surface. Future maneuvers are planned to reduce the orbital radius.

Aerojet Completes Engine Tests for HOPE-X

American company Aerojet has successfully completed tests for the Orbital Maneuvering Engine (OME) for Japan's new HOPE-X reusable spacecraft. The HOPE-X is a prototype designed to be launched by the H-IIA rocket. Aerojet is developing the engine for Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries. The OME is a liquid-propellant engine with a thrust of about 1800 kg, comparable to the US space shuttle's maneuvering engine. The tests involved 19 engine firings under simulated conditions at altitudes above 30 kilometers.

Personal Accounts of UFO Encounters

The magazine features several personal accounts of alleged UFO encounters. One woman, Irina O., recounts three incidents in February and March 1997. She describes waking to a bright light, seeing a green glowing figure that transformed into a woman named Gelida from planet Yuta, and being taken aboard a spacecraft. During this experience, she claims to have seen an alien city, strange flora, and her dog consuming unusual red fruits. She also describes interactions with 'bio-robot pilots' and a journey to another planet, which she later understood to be a consequence of environmental destruction on 'Yuta.' Another account details an encounter with a green figure near a river who identified herself as a friend from planet Yuta and invited the narrator to a ship, but she refused to go without her dog.

The Raëlian Movement and Elohim

An article discusses the Raëlian movement, founded by Claude Vorilhon (Raël), who claims to have met humanoids from the planet Elohim in 1973. According to Raël, these Elohim cloned the first humans 25,000 years ago and continue to monitor humanity, occasionally collecting human cells for cloning. The movement's goal is to prepare for contact with the Elohim, predicted to occur between 2000 and 2035.

Other Sections

Healing Hands

A section highlights the purported healing abilities of Marina Lukonina, who is described as being able to diagnose and treat various serious illnesses, including leukemia and tumors, using methods that sometimes include Filipino healing techniques. The article includes a testimonial from a woman who claims to have been cured of mastopathy and intestinal tumors through Lukonina's treatments.

Russian Geneticists to Clone Pigs

It is reported that Russian geneticists are preparing to clone pigs, which are considered physiologically similar to humans. These studies will be conducted at the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, with funding from domestic commercial firms. The project is politically supported by Duma member Alexey Mitrofanov.

Unusual Properties of UFOs

This section explores the enigmatic nature of UFOs, describing them as often invisible or appearing as energy rather than solid objects. When detected, they can manifest as metallic bodies or strange translucent forms, capable of changing shape and size. The article suggests that the 'extraterrestrial visitor' hypothesis might be too simplistic, proposing instead the existence of a 'co-adjacent world' with a different form of energy and matter that can manifest in our three-dimensional space.

10 Years of the Samara UFO Club

The Samara UFO Club celebrates its 10th anniversary, highlighting its role as a center for UFO enthusiasts and researchers. The club has presented its findings at numerous conferences and supports the international initiative to declare 2000 the 'Year of Ufology.'

Organs in Assortment

This brief note mentions that Scottish scientist Ian Wilmut, famous for cloning Dolly the sheep, is now involved in a project to clone human embryos for growing specific tissues and organs for medical purposes, aiming to treat diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's. This project is distinct from reproductive cloning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, extraterrestrial life, and cutting-edge scientific advancements, particularly those that challenge conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, presenting various theories and personal accounts without outright dismissal, while also engaging in critical analysis of ethical and scientific implications, as seen in the extensive discussion on human cloning. There's a clear advocacy for public awareness and a cautious approach to banning new technologies based on fear rather than evidence.