What is Human Cloning?

When speaking of human cloning, what is meant? Different groups and organizations define it differently. To use a specific definition, the American Medical Association (AMA) defined cloning as “the production of genetically identical organisms via somatic cell nuclear transfer. ‘Somatic cell nuclear transfer’ refers to the process which the nucleus of a somatic cell of an existing organism is transferred into an oocyte from which the nucleus has been removed” (American Medical Association, 2008). In other words, cloning is the method of produce a baby that has the same genes as its parent.

How it all started

In February 1997, a scientist named Ian Wilmut and his colleagues at Roslin Institute in Scotland managed to open doors beyond imagination and change the world with endless new possibilities when they managed to clone a lamb. Before this, cloning was merely a myth, something from a science fiction movie, but after the lamb was brought to this world, a new technology was unveiled which had the power as well as the capability to clone animals. Immediately this had a resounding impact as the next big question became the obvious, would humans be next? This drew in governments as well as other scientific organizations, to finally answer questions regarding cloning. This also drew out an ethical concept as well, once the birth of Dolly was proclaimed.

How it works.

Before looking into the advantages or disadvantages of human cloning, the question which would come to mind is how the mechanics of such a complicated process work? The main method which scientists have come to use is Somatic cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). This is the same method by which animals have been cloned and in theory this transfer commences when doctors take the egg from a female donor and remove its nucleus, creating an enucleated egg. Along with this egg, a cell, which contains DNA is taken from the person whom is ready to be cloned from. Electricity is then used to fuse the cell together along with the previous created enucleated egg. This will create an embryo, which is then inserted into the surrogate mother through a method called vitro fertilization. If this whole process were to work, then the baby which is given to birth to by the surrogate mother would be a clone of the person whom had his cell removed and fused. At the end of a normal conception time period.

Benefits of Human Cloning

There are many reasons why we should clone, one of them would be rejuvenation,Dr. Richard Seed, one of the leading advocates of human cloning technology, is optimistic that by cloning, in the future it might be possible to overturn the ageing process. Cloning might also lead to a cure for cancer, if scientists are able to understand how cells turn off and on. Since the way in which cells differentiate is still an area which scientists have not been able to discover or why cells which are infected by cancer lose their differentiation. Also another would be the ability to reduce the number of heart attacks, where by scientists think that by injecting cloned healthy heart cells into the places where the patient's heart is damaged, they could could treat the patients. Also one of the biggest arguments for human cloning is for treating infertility, if cloning does go ahead as planned, it might be able to help infertile couples to have children.

Arguments against Human Cloning.

Reasons why this line should not be crossed was found not just by religious groups but also politicians as well as a lot of other people. One of the main reasons against cloning humans would be the fact that those scientists whom were in charge of the process would be playing the role of God, since there is a great chance this technology could be misused, there was a poll conducted among 1,005 American adults about how they felt about human cloning. There are also ethical aspects coming into effect when we think about human cloning. Since an advantage of human cloning would be making another clone to help, in the sense as a tool rather then a being to perhaps as a transplant to help a sick patient. The ethical factor which comes into affect, will be the fact that the clones should have the same rights as any other person and cannot be mistreated. Also there is a large chance of identity fraud since a major way by which people are identified are through DNA, so if there was one or more person with the same DNA, it could lead to mistaken identity.

Conclusion

To conclude, there has been a lot of research done in the area of human cloning, although the main issue is that many people as well as scientists believe there is room for a lot more. At this stage, if it were tried, the results would be more damaging then beneficial, so more research is recommended. Although at the same time with the rapid development in technology, whether we agree or disagree to it, human cloning seems to be a procedure which will be attempted eventually.

References

1. American Medical Association. (2008). Retrieved from: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/369/report98.pdf

2. Bonsor, K., & Conger, C. (n.d.). How Human Cloning Will Work. Retrieved September 26, 2010, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/genetic/human-cloning1.htm

3. Smith, S. (1998). The Benefits of Human Cloning. Retrieved September 26, 2010, from http://www.humancloning.org/benefits.php

4. Robinson, A., B. (1997). Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning. Retrieved September 26, 2010, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/clo_reac.htm

5. Kilner, F., J. (n.d.). Human Cloning. Retrieved September 26, 2010, from http://www.cbhd.org/content/human-cloning