Every generation faces new challenges and new issues that they must face and conquer. Our generation faces arguably more than any other in our history.

For decades we fought against communism encroaching on our nation, and also spent many long years working towards equality in the eyes of the law — albeit we still have a little work to do there.

This is a time where the limits of science are being pushed every day, and it’s no longer clear that there is a limit to what we can accomplish. Time and archaic thinking are the only barriers.

So what are the big issues that we will have to decide on in the coming years? These are what I believe to be the problems that will define our generation, discuss these with everyone around you, and realize the importance of these issues.

Human Cloning

Scientists have cloned dogs, sheep, monkeys, pigs and various other animals, so the ability to clone a human is likely already a realizable ability.

Cloning could provide a number of different benefits to humanity, especially if the cloning is just the body and not the consciousness. This way we could just get spare parts whenever we needed them. Two extra kidneys anyone?

Cloning is a hot issue with a lot of people. Most opponents say it is simply unnatural. Well that is not really a valid argument since nature has a few examples of creatures that clone themselves. Insects are the most common examples. Bees and leaf bugs are examples of ones you can look up if you don’t believe me.

Cloning gets two thumbs up from me. Even more if I could use my future clones!

Animal Experimentation

This is a widely debated topic and has valid arguments from both sides, but let’s look at the overall picture here.

Experimenting on animals has given us insight and knowledge into how life itself behaves. We have gained numerous things from our use of animals in laboratory situations, especially benefitting from our ability to test drugs on them.

Also, when experimenting with animals, humanity gains insight into how these animals live and behave. By understanding them better, we can better improve their existence on this planet.

I disagree with the proposition that animals have rights just like we do. They have what rights we give them.

This is evidenced by how we treat various species of animals differently depending on how well we like them. Cats, dogs and horses certainly get lots of love, but fish, cows, and several wildlife species are either directly or indirectly slaughtered by humanity; sort of a double standard right?

Every animal should be treated with dignity and respect because the way we treat other living things reflects on our character as a species. That being said, people come first. If we have to sacrifice a few rats so that we can get a step closer to a vaccine against AIDS, well that is a necessary step.

Human Trafficking

The issue of human trafficking needs to be addressed, brought out into the light and included in our national dialogue. It remains a horrible reality that millions of people are bought and sold like property throughout the world every year.

Nearly all of the people that are trafficked each year are women; mostly women from impoverished areas like Eastern Europe or Asia. Often these young girls are sold into sexual slavery simply for the family to be able to afford another meal or to send their sons to school. This practice must end.

Our country, which supposedly values individual and human rights so much, and enjoys sticking our collective noses into other people’s business, should really be focusing on deterring this horrible crime against humanity.

Threaten our overseas oil interests and we will light up your world like the 4th of July, but if you want to sell your woman into a life of sexual slavery we will look the other way.

This is pitiful and disgusting and something needs to be done about it. People that are involved in human trafficking should be shot on sight. Not the victims, of course, it is in no way the woman’s fault. We should be seeking retribution against the people that are involved in the buying and selling.

Think about your future and what you want it to look like, these are the often ignored issues we must cope with that will define our generation