Since The Somatic Cell From The Clone example essay topic

The ethics of cloning has become a great issue within the past few years (the advocates for both sides of the issue have many reasons to clone and not to clone; some reasons being political, religious, or just personal.) The American Medical Association defines cloning as "the production of genetically identical organisms via somatic nuclear transfer". Personally, I am one that does not agree with cloning due to the fact that it leaves no room for one to have individuality. As technology and the world are steadily changing, we can see that cloning can possibly change the gene pool from how we now know it. And most likely it will not change or good. In spite of the fact that I believe cloning to be unprincipled there are many good things that can result. Through cloning it is possible for doctors and scientists how to renew activity of damaged cells by growing new cells to replace them, we will be able to create humans with identical genetic makeup as organ donors and / or suppliers, there will be an increase in the possibility in studying cell differentiation, and most importantly sterile couples will be able to have children of their own.

Other reasons for cloning might include replacing lost or deceased family pets. Currently, zoologists and environmentalists who are trying to save endangered or even extinct species are tying to use cloning as a source of repopulating. Several governments have considered or enacted legislation to slow down, limit, or ban cloning experiments outright. It is clear that cloning will be a part of our lives in the future, but the course of this technology has yet to be determined. The American Medical Association holds four points of reason why cloning should not take place. The reasons are as follows: 1) there are unknown physical harms introduced by cloning, 2) there are unknown psychosocial harms introduced by cloning, including violations of autonomy and privacy, 3) impacts of familial and social relations and 4) the potential effects on the human gene pool are intense.

There are simply too many problems that can result from cloning and we simply do not know the extent of them. Cloning would lead to the loss of individuality because of one's genetic predispositions and conditions would be known (if a child raised by a clone parent or as a clone sibling then they have many expectations to live up to.) They can never develop their own sense of style or have their own favorite food. However human clones could differ greatly in personality and even grow up with different conditions than the cloned. This could bring stress on the clone and possibly the loss of the ability to choose for itself. The long-term genetic effects of cloning may cause more problem then we could even imagine. The question of what can go wrong need to be discussed.

In an evolutionary standpoint cloning is not good. Evolution relies on a continual mixing and matching of genes to keep the pool alive. With cloning, the natural process of the selection of genes would be bypassed, and the evolution would be impaired. The council of Ethical and Judicial Affairs for the AMA stated the following concerning possible problems with mutations and clones: Since the somatic cell from the clone originate will have acquired mutations, serial cloning would compound the accumulation that occurs in somatic cells. Although the mutations may not be apparent at the time of cloning, genetic problems could become exacerbated in future generations. (Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs 6) Cloning could revolutionize the world and the way we live, or it may be so minimal that it would not affect us at all.

Is this the world that you want to live in? Each person individually must decide for him or herself whether or not they believe that cloning should be allowed or if the government should intervene. Personally, I believe that cloning should only be permitted for medical emergency purposes (not for the entertainment of others)..