Cloning Process example essay topic

"A Chip Off the Old Cell" The actual process of cloning is nothing new. It began in the 1970's with the cloning of frogs. Scientists have cloned plants and animals for years since then. Recently, there have been continuing controversies regarding the process of human cloning, and whether or not our society has a use for it. On July 5, 1996, scientist Ian Wilmot (after 277 attempts), created first born cloned mammal which was a healthy lamb by the name of "Dolly".

A process called somatic nuclear cell transfer accomplished this task. For example, a cell is first taken from a donor female, then an unfertilized egg is taken from a second female, DNA from the cell is removed and transferred to the egg which is implanted into a surrogate mother, and finally the resulting baby is genetically identical to the original donor (The Human Cloning Process). Since this extraordinarily scientific breakthrough occurred there have been many reactions. March of 1997, President Clinton issued a moratorium banning the use of federal funds for human cloning for the following five years, giving the National Bioethics Board significant time to assess the risks of cloning and study ethical and social impacts. September of that same year, 64,000 biologists and physicians signed a voluntary 5-year moratorium on human cloning. January 1998, nineteen European nations sign a ban, and the FDA announces its authority to regulate human cloning (The Human Cloning Process).

The controversy is still ongoing, but has made some progress within the recent years. People who are against human cloning state many logical concerns of its effectiveness and need in our society. The fear of the unknown takes a toll on the human psyche particularly on this issue. Lewis Thomas (1913-1993), a physician and scientist, states that his reasons for opposing human cloning is because "there is no end to protocol", meaning that in order to truly clone someone you would have to clone the people in their lives that had any affect on them as well which would be an endless task (Thomas 784). He also believes that the effects human cloning would have on society would be too traumatic. The scientist credited for "Dolly's" existence explains that cloning would result in a high number of miscarriages and deaths among newborns, and openly speaks against his own type of research.

Many religions also outwardly oppose the concept when taken to certain extremes, stating that it is unethical to alter with God's work and it devalues human uniqueness and dignity. The National Bioethics Advisory Board adds to the argument with concerns about the technique's effectiveness and possible medical risks involved or how possible future black markets for embryos could occur. The House of Representatives Majority Leader, Richard Armey, wants to ban human cloning forever for he says, "this path leads to designer children, organ farms, and growing disregard for sanctity of life". (Human Cloning Process) Arguments for human cloning propose new solutions to many of our societies long term, devastating flaws. The process of human cloning includes a number of steps, some of which include the research of stem cells. Stem cells are cells taken from the human body that have the capacity to constantly renew themselves, while maintaining an ability to adapt to the specific cell types needed by the human body (Grenaly).

Stem cells could be used to regenerate nerve tissues and produce organs to repair or replace the damaged tissue or organs in diseased persons. Some of these prospective target cases would include people suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, etc. For this type of research could be crucial to our survival as human beings (Global change). Many Senators support the research, but not the actual reproductive cloning and are currently trying to pass bills protecting the rights for research. "Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Act of 2003" prohibits reproductive cloning but permits therapeutic cloning for research purposes.

The National Institute of Health Director, Harold E. Varus, supports research and encourages the public and the government to keep an open mind. The most radical of supporters, Dr. Richard Seed, makes claims that the cloning process could reverse the aging process, as well as, heart attacks. He is currently making attempts to raise funds to support his goals to carry out projects in other countries, if the United States does not approve. Others claim that cloning would be beneficial to produce better livestock with inherited disease resistance. Despite the controversial arguments surrounding the issue of human cloning there have been moderate progressions to discover the pros and cons. Many books such as Who is Afraid of Human Cloning, by George E. Pence, have been published in an effort to educate the public, as well as, urge society to think through questions that cloning rises at different levels rather than dismiss ideas out of fear or ignorance.

If human cloning is ever incorporated into our society it will take time. The cloning process is in it early stages and unable to be fully understood currently by scientists around the globe. The first mammal to be cloned (Dolly) was put to sleep due to a disease that developed in her lungs, and scientists are researching the reasons why clones tend to develop abnormalities (Global change). However, stem cell research, which I believe to be most beneficial to our society, is rapidly progressing with each day probably due to the cloning cause. I personally do not favor the idea of human cloning, but to be able to succeed in utilizing stem cell research would be extremely beneficial to humanity, in my opinion.

Bibliography

Dillon, Kevin. "Stem Cell Research" 10 August 2003.
web Grenaly, Joseph. Telephone Interview. 1 October 2003.
Pence, George. Who's Afraid of Human Cloning? Maryland: Rowan and Littlefield, 1998.
Professor Jones, Anita. "The Cloning Process". 28 April 1998.
web Thomas, Lewis. "On Cloning a Human Being". The Writer's Presence. New York: Bedford, 2003.