Human Cloning
On July 5th, 1996, Dolly the sheep was born. She was not an ordinary sheep, though; she was a clone. Dolly was conceived by removing DNA from a frozen adult sheep cell and inserting it into an egg from which all DNA had been removed, making the new animal genetically identical to the DNA donor. This process is known as somatic cell nuclear transfer[1]. Since Dolly’s birth, the practice of cloning has been widely debated, especially when the possibility of human experimentation is involved.
Proponents of human cloning cite many reasons for further research and experimentation. Science could possibly better understand the development of humans during the early stages of gestation. Perhaps some genetic diseases could be eliminated in the future through reproductive engineering. Many scientists also believe that essential organs can be created that will not be rejected by transplant recipients if the organ was cloned from the recipient’s own somatic cell. The potential medical advancements from cloning research can seem limitless when the possibility for organ generation is considered.[2]
Opponents of human cloning state different concerns mostly regarding ethics and morality. The prospect of human manufacture can lead to the devaluation in the sanctity of life, since more can be made if some are lost. Experimentation is likely to result in the deaths of embryos, which they believe are human lives. Scientists also do not know enough about the long-term effects on organs or people created in such a way, and unnecessary disease or death is likely. Should people or organs be created with the potential for serious debilitating abnormality? Many people believe the answer is no.[3]
February 14th, 2003, Dolly the sheep was prematurely put to sleep. Preliminary reports showed that she may have been aging faster than normal, and arthritis had set in.1 The company that created Dolly had since gone out of business, and tests were inconclusive as to whether these symptoms were a result of the cloning technique.
By this time the controversy over cloning had settled down for many reasons. The process was extremely expensive, many countries had outlawed the practice of human cloning, and without an immediate need cloned people or organs there was not much incentive for the investment.
As independent scientists put time and money into cloning research, new developments and controversy are likely to arise. Proponents will see the limitless capability for good, and opponents will see just the opposite. Who knows what the future holds for human cloning?
[1] http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/Primer
[2] http://www.globalchange.com/clonenews.htm
[3] http://www.dnapolicy.org/genetics/cloning.jhtml
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