Human Cloning-Scientifically Effective?

Cloning is the creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another. This means that every single bit of DNA is the same between the two (2011, par3). There are different ways to produce a clone, but one of the most common procedures is carried out by cell nuclear replacement. This procedure is often used because it is easier to target specific genes, so the DNA strands can be altered (Olson). In this procedure, the donor egg and a somatic cell from the animal are used to clone. The nucleus, which contains the genetic material, is removed from the donor egg and replaced with the nucleus from the cell of the animal to be cloned. "This creates a cloned embryo, which is then stimulated to begin dividing (Centre)" (2011, par3). Is human cloning essential for the improvement of our life?

There was a successful cloning of mammal, which is “Dolly”, a sheep. Since it was announced in the public, there were many speculations about trying it on humans. Scientific studies said that human cloning has a potential for medical problems like infertile couples, replace for a deceased child, cloning for medical purposes, Parkinson’s disease, burns and organ transplant. Yes, there may be some exceptional cases like above, but how sure are we that the cloned one is healthy? What are the risks that it involves? Still there are many things to consider in pursuing human cloning.

First, the identity make up of a person. Every individual is unique. We all have different DNA structures. If man is cloned, what about his identity, his personality, his dignity and his genetic structures? There will be no uniqueness in every person. It deteriorates our real identity. Also, it entails many risks. First, it has a high failure rate. There had been many experiments regarding cloning, but many of this had failed! Successful cases ranges only from 0.l-3%. Its reasons maybe because of the nucleated egg and the transferred nucleus, the compatibility, an egg with a newly transferred, nucleus may not begin to divide or develop properly, implantation of the embryo into the surrogate mother might fail, and lastly the pregnancy itself might fail. There can also be an abnormal gene patterns. For it to be normal, a complete reprogramming is needed, but an incomplete programming may cause abnormalities to its embryo. In dolly’s situation, it died earlier than the original sheep because its cells were aging faster where its telomeres are shorter than the normal ones. It really depends on the chance that one’s cell will have longer telomeres. But let us look on the positive and beneficial side, comparing to an animal cloning, it can also be helpful to have similar traits in having a clone. For example, a cow which gives the best milk can be cloned. In this, the cloned cow will also give the best milk. This may help in the production of good milk. Again, it sounds beneficial but still it is risky and the natural process found in our nature like life cycle, food chain, and other natural balance processes will be destroyed and will not all come natural!

Second is the abusive treatment of human in the field of cloning. Since Dolly is said to be the first successful mammal cloning, there had been immediate speculations in trying to make human cloning possible. The Los Angeles times revealed to the public about the “bladder Run” world of human replicants. It may be used for wars, for it is impossible to overcome since the cloned one is the strongest of all human existing in the world. Evilness can be seen in pursuing this. People became abusive. They use innocent people for profit making. They do not anymore consider the importance of human life. Now, legal issues require researcher and the public to help policymakers decide whether and how cloning technologies should be regulated by the government in order for the people not to be abusive (20011, par3).

Third is the ethical side of the human cloning. There had been moral, ethical, legal and social challenges regarding human cloning. By the means of cloning, a deceased child can be made “alive” to revive the happiness that a family is experiencing before. However, later on, they will realize that their child is different from the cloned one. From this verse in the bible: “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed in to his nostrils the breath of life; and ma became a living soul. The Lord God then took one of his ribs and closed up his flesh instead thereof: and with the rib from which the Lord God had taken from man he created woman." God is one who created us. We are sons of God; we are exactly like Him. Therefore, no other man should make one like his identity other than Him.

Although cloning may help in the medical problems of human, still there are negative effects of pursuing it. People will lose their identity, and they will abuse the capability of cloning and lastly they will become unethical.

References:

“The Benefits of Animal Cloning” 123HelpMe.com 06 May 2009
www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=18713

Genetic Science Learning Center (2011, January 24) What is Cloning?. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/whatiscloning/

Genetic Science Learning Center (2011, January 24) What is Cloning?. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/cloningrisks/

Genetic Science Learning Center (2011, January 24) What is Cloning?. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/clissues/


“The Cloning Debate.” 123HelpMe.com
Retrieved May 06, 2009, from
http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp? Id=17513.

“Cloning: A Breakthrough in Reproductive Technology.” 123HelpMe.com
Retrieved May 06, 2009, from
http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=31333.

“Ethics of Human Cloning.” 123HelpMe.com
Retrieved May 06, 2009, from
http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp? Id=15105.