The Ethics of Cloning

Hager, Mary, and Adam Rodgers. “A Biotech Roadblock.” Newsweek, 13 April 1998: 66. Levine, Louis. “Genetic Engineering”. Encarta Encyclopedia.

There are concerns that society should carefully consider. It is important, though, to thoroughly research and examine a topic in order to understand why there should be no fear caused by cloning and genetic engineering one must know the factual processes behind them before a strong argument on behalf of their advancement can be formed. Cloning and genetic engineering are very controversial subjects; however, when used appropriately as a means to solve a problem or ease pain and suffering in a person, rather than to “play God” and take life into one’s own hand can be very beneficial. The pursuit of cloning and genetic engineering should be continued as they provide a means for improving health care and making major advancements in food production and waste disposal because when ethics come into play the facts show that the two are not actually processes in which ethical issues should arise. The terms “genetic engineering” and “cloning” are often used interchangeably but there are conceivable differences between the two that should be pointed out.

"Spinal Cord Repair." World Wide Web. AOL. 19 May 1999. [www.sciam.com/explorations/081897spinal/zacks.html] Woodward, Kenneth L.  "Today the Sheep..."  Newsweek 10 Mar 1997: 60.

The first argument being the way cloning can help by using certain technology to make sure the infertility rate goes down by helping to produce a genetic offspring. The last argument being that cloning could be an important process to help battle with genetic diseases. Although some of these arguments may fail, if they were to succeed in any way though, there would be a great deal of reasoning to move forward with the argument (Melo 253). The opponents of human cloning could also be broken down into two arguments as well. The first argument being there could be psychological harms done to the clone.

. ." Newsweek "Clinton Bans Federal Funding for Human Cloning." [On-line]. Available: http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/special/clone/clone.10.html Search: Internet Cloning.

Cloning is a subject which many people do not agree upon. Scientists think cloning should be allowed because it can lead to great things. On the other hand, those who are more religious argue that cloning should not be allowed because it violates the Bible and God’s plan. Though cloning may be seen as a violation of human and religious rights, cloning should be allowed because it can be very beneficial to humans, whether it would be through bringing a loved one back or helping lead to a medical breakthrough. Cloning should be allowed because it can help benefit the human race.

According to Sir John Gordon, cloning is not as playing God it is simply copying “what nature has already produced” (Gordon). This new development established a series of debates because if there are technologies that enable humans to artificially create mammal, sooner or later the same process will be performed on human. This points to the question, should human cloning be banned? (Cloning: An Overview). Even though there are numerous critics who believe human cloning violates human dignity, there should be an acceptance because it can be a solution to those who are affected with various diseases, it is essential for understanding our ancestors or other prehistoric species, and it benefits parents who lost their beloved children, or those who cannot have children.

Internet. 11 Oct. 1998. Available http://www.cdpr.ca.gov. "Pesticides and Food Safety." IFIC Jan. 1995: 1-13.

The Great Human Embryo Clone Hype Abstract: The cloning of human embryos has sparked a major debate worldwide. New cloning methods have surpassed the technology that could only duplicate specified genes or produce offspring from frozen mice and human embryos. Cloning has been used to free would-be sufferers from a particular disease carrying gene. Likewise, out of desire to assist infertile couples and overcome the drawbacks of using in-vitro fertilization, came the newest method of cloning. Although skepticism exists because of the lack of regulation and the extreme possibilities considered such as cloning for hair and eye color or for a particular gender, with proper regulation, researchers and doctors intend to embrace this modern and unpredictable technology as our newest weapon in combating health related problems.

The Sins of Cloning "See you in two years with your cloned child," says the doctor to his patient. Such a statement sounds so bizarre and futuristic, but scientists believe cloning "is no longer the realm of science fiction" (Virginia, Sirs). Its "just a matter of time before the first cloned [humans]" (Virginia, Sirs). Although this practice does not seem dangerous, cloning should be banned because it takes away the individual importance of human beings, is too risky, and also morally wrong. The process of cloning scientifically means to genetically copy an organism and create a 'replica' that has the same DNA, whose cells time have been turned back, yet the two are not exactly the same; not a 'xerox' (Virginia, Sirs).