We must all stop playing at God?

THE figure of 1,000 students buried alive and the camcorders focused on weeping mothers is one of the saddest we have yet to come. The connotations go far deeper than many realise. You see, according to Wikipedia, the phrase "One-Child Policy" commonly used in English, refers to the Planned Birth policy of the People's Republic of China introduced in 1979, to alleviate the social and environmental problems of China.

This controversial policy within and beyond the borders of China must now be seriously reconsidered, even though there are still citizens today who continue to have more than one child, despite this policy. They must surely today consider themselves blessed if they have any children left after this catastrophe, whereas some of their neighbours have lost their one and only child.

A mere two months’ ago, during the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in March 2008, a representative of China's National Population and Family Planning Commission said that the policy would remain in place for at least another decade! This is a decision made in a country which produces and exports birth control chemicals.

God alone knows how many children will be found alive after this week. God alone knows how many couples will now never share the joy of having a grandchild to love and adore. An entire generation of Chinese offspring have been obliterated off the face of the earth—one way or the other. How terribly sad.

Don't think it will never affect Zimbabwe. Listen and learn. Our beautiful country is situated in the Rift Valley region. Millions of years ago there were earthquakes in our region. We frequently have earth tremors. Nothing is impossible.

British MPs are arguing now on whether to approve laws enabling scientist to create life? Everyone should stop trying to play God in this world, and just let Mother Nature control Planet Earth.  

Who knows what is in store for us tomorrow?

Donette Read Kruger
Stringer for The Zimbabwe Guardian specialising on Africa