I think there was an old chron... Doppleganger?
Retconned out of existence by TonyG if I recall correctly. Basically, "it gives too many hints as to who The Broker is." That's really beside the point though. >.< Carry on!
I think it was that described how the Pend Insurance CEO was being investigated by CONCORD and asked some questions by DED types about if he had two clones active at the same time or if someone else was trying to impersonate him.
It seemed more like they were just confirming what they already knew, that someone used a clone that looked like him in order to get access somewhere.
That seemed to imply it was possible to have multiple copies and that CONCORD took a very dim view upon it. So what's wrong with softcloning? It ties into the whole multiple copies thing, and why would CONCORD make something illegal that could not occur with the technology available?
C3 article states it's possible to have multiple copies in existence at once. Clonejumping is a loophole in the laws preventing the keeping of multiple active clones.
You can have multiple clones around, but they can't be
active copies with memories and feelings and --potentially the worst of all-- legal status. Without proper training/pharmaceuticals/medical facilities it leads to pretty nasty side effects as well. Long and the short of it, they don't want a "Insane zombie clone apocalypse".
Actual brain rewiring wouldn't be hard given that it's necessary to be able to use cybernetic implants (at least, understanding how NOT to rewire someone's brain negatively by shoving a circuit board into someone's spinal column and deep within the brain in order to allow them to fly a freakin' ship with their brain). It exists in multiple forms within chronicles and short stories (as well as one of TonyG's novellas). However, in my personal opinion, it does walk the line of godmodding even if done well EDIT: by players.
Is it necessary for SoCT RP? Definitely not. There are multiple ways to achieve greater awareness ("Hyperconsciousness", if you will), and a lot of what makes SoCT interesting is the fact that they
seem to be interested in technological advancement as a means to enlightenment and evolution of humanity. SoCT wouldn't necessarily find Sansha's Nation aberrant, for instance. They're just doing what they can to overcome the limits of biology in the search for knowledge.
The SoCT might see the ends as noble even if the means are horrendous and deplorable. Does humanity always act in it's own self interest? No. Do individuals act in the self interest in others at all times? No. Why not enforce such until a time comes that humanity can do so themselves? That's the reason for laws, is it not? Altering the brain to be able to think about something greater first and their own preservation second isn't a bad thing, is it?
In the end, proper context is key to any plot device. Is there a moral or ethical conflict? How is this moral or ethical conflict addressed? Furthermore, would the fact that there are altered memories present even be something that would be known or be knowable by others? If it is not knowable, why pursue it as a plot point?