by Emma Walker

Created on: January 25, 2009   Last Updated: February 14, 2010

Imagine a world where there is no biological need for man. Where every child looks uncannily like its own mother.

Imagine a world where human cloning is a reality.

Scary!

‘Ms smith would like to announce the birth of her beautiful baby daughter Genie, she has been hand picked from Hertforshire clone bank.

She has blond hair, blue eyes and an IQ of 140.

She is certified as being free from genetic disease’.

Cloning is the copying of genetic material also known as reproduction by nuclear fusion. The result, is offspring with identical DNA as the parent.

In 1996 the first mammal cloned from adult DNA was born (Dolly the sheep). She was cloned from a single cell taken from the udder of a six-year-old ewe and was the only lamb born following 277 attempts.

During her lifespan Dolly had 2 offspring before developing progressive lung cancer possibly a result of premature aging.

She was euthanized at six years of age.

Unsurprisingly the published news of the birth of ‘Dolly’ sparked off huge public debates on the ethics of cloning and raised realistic fears over the possibility of human cloning.

Arguments ‘ for’ cloning include: medical breakthroughs, immortality, preservation of endangered species, a possible means of curing disease, greater understanding of the causes of miscarriages potentially leading to treatments, an enhanced understanding of genetics possibly leading to the creation of animal organs which can be accepted by humans for transplantation and as a infertility treatment.

Anti-cloning arguments include: A decrease in the genetic diversity of population leading to an increased susceptibility of disease, an affront to some religious sensibilities, the huge scope for abuse, the possibility of premature aging of clones because they would be derived from existing cells, an increased risk of genetic defects and the removal of the genetic need for man.

Life is not static and medical advancements made of recent years are truly amazing. It is important that these advancements are made, with an aim to enhancing human life.

Potentially animal cloning could provide a way of saving endangered species and it may, in some ways be of benefit us humans.

BUT

A strategy of caution needs to be employed when undertaking any scientific research or when using controversial techniques. The aim should always be improvement. Be that in improvement of comprehension of science or medical enhancements, but not at any cost.

Just because we can do something does not always mean that we should!

References/Further reading:

www.encarta.msn.com

www.food.gov.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/377180.stm

www.public.iastate.edu

www.news.bbc.co.uk

http://library.thinkquest.org.

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