Should Cloning be Introduced into Everyday Medicine?

Cloning is a highly controversial topic. It was a major breakthrough when the Scottish produced the first successful cloned sheep, however, instead of introducing an advance in medicine, it created a highly debated issue.

There are three main types of cloning: DNA Cloning, Reproductive Cloning, and Therapeutic Cloning. DNA cloning takes one or more fragments of DNA and produces multiple copies of that section of DNA either in vitro or in vivo. Reproductive Cloning uses a somatic cell and egg to produce an identical, cloned version of the original organism. Therapeutic Cloning is similar to Reproductive Cloning in which a somatic cell and egg is used to create an organ, such as a liver (instead of a new, identical organism).

Cloning could be beneficial for our society in several different ways. This procedure could be used to combat a disease-ridden organ, or copy a specific gene some organisms carry which could improve life. Cloning could also be a way of reproduction for females who cannot have kids. Cloning opens many doors to producing a “perfect life”, however, there are several negative connotations surrounding cloning.

Further research needs to be conducted in order to strengthen the positive feedback surrounding cloning; the majority of the cases dealing with cloning have been unsuccessful. Many cases have produced results revealing cloned organisms having shorter lives, tumor infested organs, and other such malfunctions a normal, healthy produced individual would not usually face. There has been inconclusive data surrounding the health of cloned organisms as many do not live long enough to show results. Along with the several risks surrounding cloning, it is unethical to produce an identical organism. Every organism is unique and carries characteristics, good or bad, which define themselves. When cloning an organism, we would be able to choose which characteristics are wanted in this new individual, therefore making the clone a better species than the original. This is unethical because we would be regarding the clones as a better species. With the ability to create the “better species” people could pay a doctor to create a specific genome for their offspring which can be related to buying a human. In today’s society, it is unethical to buy a human which is why many people, including myself, see cloning as immoral.