Religious Perspective of Cloning
Many questions are raised about cloning a human being. It has moral and ethical issues and their affect on our society. The real question is, what is it to be a human being? Most of the organized religions' response to the issue of cloning is in an overwhelmingly negative fashion. They are not however outright eliminating the thought. Roman Catholics, Jewish, Protestants and other religions all have diverse opinions but there overall conclusions are the same.
Their concerns are for the preservation of human dignity and the individual's freedom. Cloning is not only wrong it totally goes against the religious and biblical principles that have been deeply rooted for many centuries and have been past on from our ancestors many years ago. Cloning is condemned because of the violation of our dignity. Most religions are cautious against applying the new technology to humans, but for varying reasons. "Protestant theology emphasizes the view that nature is "fallen" and subject to improvement... But while they tend to support using technology to fix flaws in nature, Protestant theologians say cloning of humans crosses the line" (Herbert, Sheler and Watson 62). There are so many possibilities that cloning brings about; and most of them bring about nothing more than destruction of the human race. As we have known today and years ago, anything that is created with good intention will find it ways to destructive consequences.
Religion has played a big part in our society today and will continue its role for many generations to follow. It is religion that provides us with moral and ethical senses. Once again we must seek their guidance.
Roman Catholic Church argues their religious and ethical viewpoints. Their views are based largely on the interpretation of the story of creation. The dignity that has bestowed on us from God and cloning will violate our dignity as Godchildren. We are solely responsible for maintaining and preserving what God has created. "Cloned humans are manufactured in the image of existing people instead of created by a 'unique creative of God' " (Emig, Lau and Stone). Roman Catholics are strongly against any production of human cloning research, and believe an outright ban is needed.
The Jewish on the other hand favor human cloning, with justifiable explanations. Their view on human cloning is based upon historical and sacred writings that focus on human destiny. "Jewish scholars do not believe that potential violations of human dignity are reason enough to prohibit human cloning" (Emig, Lau and Stone). Provided with supervisions and some restrictions cloning is consider an advantage to aid us in finding the cure for a variety of diseases. Many concerns are toward the harmful changes it might have toward family relationship and the roles between them.
Protestant arguments against cloning are somewhat distanced from both the Roman Catholic and the Jewish convictions. Their interpretation is based from the creation story. Man is created as co-creator to participate with God to shape a better future for us. But their support is limited to some restrictions; "...research should not proceed if it will only benefit a few infertile people. Its applications must benefit the common good" (Emig, Lau and Stone). And others believe cloning should not be allowed because the creation of a child should only be reproduce with a sexual partner. "...children should be conceived within a marital union between opposite sexes" (Emig, Lau and Stone). A mix reactions, but with good intentions for our human races and morality.
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