Clara Carmona
Issues in Science and Technology
4-06-05
Cloning
Introduction
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. Cloning has been
a topic of debate in our society. One of the main issues with cloning is whether cloning
will benefit our society as a whole, or it would do more harm than good. We have rules,
and laws that govern our society over what is right and wrong, and these rules are set to
maintain order. There are different types of cloning and there are risks, laws, and ethics
involved in cloning. One of the major problems in a science like cloning is the
politics behind it.
The focus of this paper is to understand the difference of science and technology in
cloning and the politics and laws that are involved.
There are different types of Cloning:
Recombinant DNA Technology or DNA cloning: is the transfer of a DNA fragment of
interest from one organism to a self replicating genetic element such as bacterial plasmid.
Plasmids are self replicating extra chromosomal circular DNA molecules distinct from
the normal bacterial genome and they are used by researchers to copy genes and other
pieces of chromosomes to generate identical material for further studies.
Reproductive Cloning: Is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same
nuclear DNA as another or a previously existing animal. The DNA from an ovum is
removed and replaced with the DNA from a cell removed from an adult animal. And the
pre-embryo is implanted in a womb to develop into a new animal. This type of cloning
has been used to clone mammals. Most people oppose to this type of cloning because they
are opposed to the destruction of embryos. But reproductive cloning can also be used to
reproduce endangered animals or animals that are difficult to breed.
Therapeutic Cloning: Also called embryo cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer is the
production of human embryos for use in research. But only to create stem cells that can
be used to repair damaged or defective tissue in the parent of the cloned cells. The goal of
this type of cloning is to produce a healthy copy of a sick person’s tissue or organ for a
transplant.
History of Cloning
Experiments with animals have been done for years. And experiments with frogs,
and toads date back to the 1970s. The cloning technique used at that time was a process
called artificial twinning which involved split ting a single fertilized ovum into new
embryos and then implanting them into a female. Also experiments with plants and
animal embryos have been performed for a long time, but experiments with human beings
were not thought possible until “ Dolly” the first mammal a sheep that was cloned using a
method called somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Risks of Cloning
There are several risks involved in cloning. One of them is that reproductive
Cloning is expensive and highly ineffective. Another is that there is low success rates,
and cloned animals tend to have a more compromised immune system and higher rates
of infection and other disorders. The majority of species that have been cloned have
died, and in many cases the clone grows abnormally large and the live of the mother
and clone have been put at risk. Other health problems in cloned animals include
pneumonia, brain lesions, skeletal malformations, and undeveloped blood systems. Also
most scientists agree that human cloning has a serious risk of producing children who are
stillborn, unhealthy, severely malformed, or disabled.
Animals that have been cloned
Scientists have been cloning animals for many years. Researchers have cloned
a number of animals including sheep, goats, cows, goats, mice, pigs, cats, and rabbits.
The attempts at cloning animals such as monkeys, chickens, horses, and dogs have been
unsuccessful.
Ethical, Legal, and Social issues
There are several types of issues with cloning. One of them is the ethical issue
the moral outcome of cloning technologies. Many people are opposed to cloning because
is considered to be very dangerous, immoral, and people argue that a human life would be
manufactured by a man, and is treated as an object, instead of having his own identity.
The clone can feel as a copy of another individual and be treated as a second class
individual. Legal issues require researchers and the public to decide how cloning
technologies should be regulated by the government. And the social issues involved the
impact of cloning technologies in our society as a whole.
Politics and the Law
There are several laws pertaining to human cloning. And there are some states
that have laws that banned reproductive cloning or cloning for research purposes. Some
of these states are California, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota,
Rhoda Island, South Dakota , and Virginia. For example Arkansas prohibits therapeutic,
and reproductive cloning, and human cloning is punishable as a class c felony and by a
fine not less than $250,000. California prohibits reproductive cloning, but permits
embryonic stem cell research and prohibits the purchase or sale of a zygote, embryo, or
a fetus for the purpose of cloning human beings, and it establishes civil penalties. Iowa
prohibits human cloning for any purpose and human cloning is punishable as a class c
felony. Michigan prohibits human cloning for any purpose and prohibits the use of state
funds for human cloning. Missouri bans the use of state funds for human cloning
research. New Jersey permits human research for stem cell research, but prohibits
reproductive cloning which is punishable as a crime in a first degree. North Dakota
prohibits reproductive and therapeutic cloning and attempting to clone is punishable as
a class c felony. Rhode Island prohibits human cloning for the purpose of initiating a
pregnancy for any corporation and is punishable by a civil penalty. South Dakota
prohibits human cloning and the transfer of any human embryo, human fetus, or human
somatic cell for the purpose of human cloning, and is punishable as a felony and civil
penalty. And Virginia prohibits human cloning but it is unclear because human being is
not defined in the definition of human cloning. Also the health legislation research
involving human embryos, and prohibition of human cloning act {2003} prohibits human
cloning and other practices associated with reproductive technology.
Science and Technology
A lot of scientists and researchers hope to use cloning as a way to research new
drugs , and treat diseases. Cloning is the outcome of many years of research. And the
rapid progress in the fields of molecular biology, reproductive technology, and computer
technologies are very powerful and applicable to humans and other mammals. Cloning
is a major step in scientific development. But there is a big debate over cloning
because some people think is good and others think is bad. Cloning can bring many
benefits to humans, but at the same time is still risky, and there’s some unknown
problems.
Conclusion
I think cloning is a technology that has advantages and disadvantages. We as
humans consider cloning as a concept of right and wrong. Scientists and ethicist have
debated human and non human cloning for many years. And some people argue that is
unnatural, and unethical while others think it will benefit the lives of humans. Everyone
has different opinions about cloning, and I think is going to continue to be one of the
world’s biggest issues.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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“ Human Cloning.” American Medical Association. 4-02-05
Land, Richard D. "Statement on Human Cloning." Light July-August 1997
Setlow, J., Genetic Engineering, vol. 11 (1989)
Shapiro, Harold T. "Ethical and Policy Issues of Human Cloning." Science. 11 July 1997
The ethics of cloning. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 1997