Human Cloning In The Future example essay topic

1,163 words
... Human bodies attack what is not genetically alike to the specific body; thus, transplant organs are rejected at times even with the medication that tries to suppress this action. Another technique of transfer cloning obtains healthy adult cells and reprograms them 'so that they are embryonic and have the potential to grow into any type of tissue. ' ('Potential uses' 980) This method could be used to produce stem cells, which are undifferentiated or unspecialized, capable of being any tissue / organ.

Stem cells could be used to replace the area of damaged nerve tissue, which does not regenerate. This process can also be used to grow organs for those who need them or even bone marrow. According to the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, this is a 'far more desirable' technique of cloning because embryos are not used, however, they also feel that this is a highly speculative technique. (National V II A 9) Gene cloning can be used to produce vaccines and hormones, it already has led to the inexpensive production of insulin for diabetes and of growth hormones for children who do not produce enough hormones for normal growth. Monoclonal antibodies used the immune system to fight off disease could be injected into the blood system where it would seek out and attack a tracer element to the cloned antibody that would be able to locate hidden cancers in the body.

They would attach cancer fighting drugs to the tracer and the treatment dose could be transported directly to the cancer cells (Clone 2: 833). Other recent discoveries in genetics have led to the hope of eventually being able to rewire several spinal cord nerves. Investigations of this theory have included gene study on worms, fruit flies, rats and humans. Hopefully be gaining more information on how growing nerves are guided will make it possible in the future to manipulate their growth and allow the repair of severed nerves in the spinal cord (Advances).

Cloning research could make a large difference in the quality of life for a large number of people. It would not have to be used to clone humans themselves. According to the Human Cloning Foundation, this process can help people with genetic problems; those who have a high risk for Down's Syndrome can avoid that risk by cloning... we may be able to make livers for liver transplants, and kidneys for kidney transplants. We should be able to create bone marrow for children and adults who are suffering from leukemia, and we may learn how to switch cells on and off through cloning and thus be able to cure cancer.

Thus, before an artificially fertilized embryo is implanted a cell from the embryo, it could be cloned and analyzed for genes that cause diseases. This way an embryo with the highest chance of good health and survival could be selected for implantation. The very first verse of the Holy Bible, Genesis 1: 1 states, 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ' Genesis goes on to tell us that God created abundance of animals and in verse 27 we are told that God created man.

Religious people believe that this is the only way that man should be created and oppose cloning. In February of 1997, Time and CNN conducted a poll that revealed that 93% of Americans disapproved of human cloning, 74% felt that would be against God's will. In Genesis 1: 28 (Holy Bible), God told Man to have dominion over every living things that moves on the earth. Although a ban on the cloning of humans may be desirable to some, scientists argue that a ban would limit scientific research that could benefit humans. In an effort to provide an alternative to a total ban, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared it illegal to clone humans without FDA approval.

This would prevent the cloning of human beings but would allow scientific research to continue. Researches that will allow scientists to further study the process and benefits of cloning. The filed of genetics has advanced by leaps and bounds. Cloning has gone from cutting plant stems to produce new plants to cloning frogs. Since then, a huge leap was made in the production of the sheep Dolly.

Actor, Robin Williams posed this question at a recent benefit honoring Christopher Reeve (Christopher Reeve, ABC). Cloning is one of his hopes for the future of spinal cord repair. Reeves' most famous role was that of Superman who was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. A few seconds of time changed an active, physically fit man into a quadriplegic dependent on a respirator to breathe. In our imaginations cloning might be the stuff of science fiction but in reality, I don't foresee my clone standing next to me, an army of Hitlers taking over the world, giving birth to 'myself' or having a headless clone just hanging around waiting for me to harvest body parts as needed. I do see responsible and sensible guidelines implemented.

Genetic scientists have approached cloning with caution and followed a moral code of conduct and I expect them to continue to do so. As they make advancements in genetics, we will see diseases cured, the sickly returned to good health, formerly childless couples playing with their children and maybe, just maybe, Superman will fly again. WORK CITED " Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope. ' ABC.

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