THE PRIORITIES OF CAPITALISM

"A California company will give five dog owners the chance to have a favourite pet genetically copied and brought back to life later this month. BioArts International has arranged an online auction to decide which dog lovers will qualify: at starting bids between $100,000(£51,000) and $180,000." (New Statesman 5th June) "Every 17 seconds, a child in the developing world dies from water-related diseases. In around the time it takes you to read this paragraph, someone, somewhere, will die. Everyday, people in the world's poorest countries face the dilemma of having to trust their health and that of their children to the consequences of drinking water that could kill them. It's a gamble that often carries a high price - seeing children needlessly dying is simply heartbreaking." (Water Aid leaflet, June) It says a lot about the priorities of capitalism when Water Aid are asking for £2 a month to help save children and someone can spend £90,000 to clone a pet dog! RD