Essay: Cloning

What is cloning? Cloning can mean many different things. DNA cloning refers to the creation of multiple identical copies of a gene or DNA which can then be used in genetic engineering. Cloning is the making of a group of genetically identical cells or organisms from the same parent cell. The cloning of mammals is the area of most interest in research and for the growth of therapeutic medicines, and is also the area which draws the most ethical disagreements. New organisms can be created by two different processes: cloning by nuclear transfer and embryo splitting. Therapeutic cloning is used to create just a group of stem cells which have a medical use. This method and the use of the stem cells produced is still being developed, but could eventually be used to create a replacement organ. However, like every view in the world, there are different opinions of cloning, everything has pros and cons.
Before arguing against the human cloning it is vital to note the positives of this genetic technology. Human cloning will allow doctors to determine the cause of unplanned abortions, give oncologists an understanding of the rapid cell growth of cancer, allow the use of stem cells to regenerate nerve tissues, and advance work on aging, genetics, and medicines. Some people argue that cloning is the reasonable next step in reproductive technology. Identical twins are natural clones, so reproductive cloning can be regarded as a technological version of a natural process.
If a women or man are unable to reproduce, why shouldn’t they be able to produce clones of themselves? If a couple have lost a child, why shouldn’t they be able to replace that loved individual with a clone if that is possible? In the same way if someone has made a great contribution to science, music, the arts or literature, it seems like a good idea to produce more of them in the hope that we might benefit even more from what would be a much longer working life. Furthermore, cloning a child could produce a tissue match for treatment of a life-threatening disease. Faster recovery from traumatic injury. From the professional athlete who tears their ACL to the person who becomes a quadriplegic because of a devastating automobile accident, recovery times could be lowered and true healing could happen thanks to the cloning of their own cells to help the recovery process. Infertility could be eliminated. Though infertility treatments today are somewhat successful, imagine being able to take cloned cells to create a younger twin of a mother or father? This would create the chance for an infertile couple to experience the joys of having a family without the painful and expensive infertility procedures that are common today.
Now it is necessary to disprove of cloning with all the cons. While there seem to be a lot of pros lets discuss the cons. A clone could change family dynamics in profound and unpredictable ways. Some people believe that while using animals to understand the biological processes, there is no reason for trying to produce a human child at this time. In other words, there is no sure way of knowing that the cloned human will live and not die or experience miscarriages and deaths among its own children in the future. Some people feel that a black market for embryos would happen just like with organs. Infertile couples could buy a cloned embryo that was stolen or was supposed to be thrown away in order to have a child.
Others feel that human cloning is completely wrong. With technology as it is at right now it would involve hundreds of failed pregnancies to achieve one single live cloned baby. What is more, evidence suggests that clones are unhealthy and often have a number of incorporated genetic defects which lead to early ageing and death. It would be completely wrong to bring a child into the world knowing that it was extremely likely to be affected by problems like these. The meaning of human life and the uniqueness we all have would mean nothing if cloning became common place. People might be cloned against their will. Who will control who gets cloned? Companies are already making money storing tissue from dead children and partners until the time that human cloning becomes available. And last but not least, cloning could be used to “substitute” important people for clones and get control of the important business and political positions.
In conclusion, we can see both sides of this disagreement, is it ethical to me? In my opinion, I believe there is nothing wrong with advancing in technology and broadening our knowledge in this world. I believe that cloning could really contribute to all living organisms. With cloning, we could bring back endangered and extinct species. We would be able to remove waiting for organs for people in desperate need for them. Cloning would be an excellent move if it was used in moderation and if there were an organization that made sure no one stepped too far out of the ethical views. Furthermore, we are hardly ready for cloning if we can’t trust others with our DNA.