Human Cloning and the Future
Samuel Katz 3/28/12
Human Cloning and the Future
In his work from 2002 “Religion and Human Cloning: An Exploratory Analysis of the First Available Opinion Data”, John Evans proudly states a few possible benefits, or advantages, of human ‘therapeutic’ cloning. While talking about embryonic stem cells, he states “these cells can eventually be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and kidney failure, to name but a few…”(748). These possibilities have mostly been confirmed since the publishing of Evans’ piece and other more incredible possibilities have come about. The benefits of both reproductive and therapeutic cloning are endless, yet many still disagree. They say that cloning is dangerous and that it would end human evolution and bring disaster to society as we know it (Mautner, 68). Do most people really think this is true? Or is modern society simply scared of the unknown and not ready for change? Many scientists and authors constantly debate the ethics and possibilities of human cloning, both for reproductive use and therapeutic use. A couple of possible risks would accompany the beginning of human cloning, however the benefits are legitimate, and we as a species should reconsider. It is common knowledge that mother and father love one another. And it’s the classic ideal for a family to begin, in the act of spousal love through sexual reproduction. Alix Magney, in his work “Cloning Me, Cloning You: Reflections on the Ethics of Cloning for Individuals, Families and Society”, argues that since human cloning would cause childbearing to lose its proper origins as an act of spousal love, it “…plainly poses a threat to the dignity and equality of women…” (25). I don’t think this is true at all, as adopting a child has been practiced for thousands of years and in vitro fertilization was invented in 1978. In vitro fertilization is where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the female body and then inserted into the
Human Cloning and the Future
In his work from 2002 “Religion and Human Cloning: An Exploratory Analysis of the First Available Opinion Data”, John Evans proudly states a few possible benefits, or advantages, of human ‘therapeutic’ cloning. While talking about embryonic stem cells, he states “these cells can eventually be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and kidney failure, to name but a few…”(748). These possibilities have mostly been confirmed since the publishing of Evans’ piece and other more incredible possibilities have come about. The benefits of both reproductive and therapeutic cloning are endless, yet many still disagree. They say that cloning is dangerous and that it would end human evolution and bring disaster to society as we know it (Mautner, 68). Do most people really think this is true? Or is modern society simply scared of the unknown and not ready for change? Many scientists and authors constantly debate the ethics and possibilities of human cloning, both for reproductive use and therapeutic use. A couple of possible risks would accompany the beginning of human cloning, however the benefits are legitimate, and we as a species should reconsider. It is common knowledge that mother and father love one another. And it’s the classic ideal for a family to begin, in the act of spousal love through sexual reproduction. Alix Magney, in his work “Cloning Me, Cloning You: Reflections on the Ethics of Cloning for Individuals, Families and Society”, argues that since human cloning would cause childbearing to lose its proper origins as an act of spousal love, it “…plainly poses a threat to the dignity and equality of women…” (25). I don’t think this is true at all, as adopting a child has been practiced for thousands of years and in vitro fertilization was invented in 1978. In vitro fertilization is where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the female body and then inserted into the
Cited: 1. Cloning Me, Cloning You: Reflections on the Ethics of Cloning for Individuals, Families and Society - Alix Magney 2. Religion and Human Cloning: An Exploratory Analysis of the First Available Opinion Date - John Evans 3. Will Cloning End Human Evolution? - Michael Mautner 4. The Myth of the Clonable Human Brain - Giovanni Berlucchi