Benefits Of Therapeutic Cloning

Kayla Santiago
Eliza Gray
Racheal Payne
AP Language
Period 1
3/27/13
Should Cloning be Used for Medical Purposes?
Cloning is one of the most divisive topics in modern biology, particularly in the medical field. The earliest instance of medical cloning can be traced back to The National Institutes of Health’s launch of The Human Genome Project. The Human Genome Project was the first stepping stone to understanding the medical possibilities behind cells as well as genes. Another milestone was the Ayala Case of 1991, a case that sparked controversy, when a family used assisted reproductive cloning to create a child who carried bone marrow that matched 16 year old daughter. Their daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia, and desperately needed
Julian Savulescu, a renowned biological scientist, named an expert in his field, described the benefits of cloning in his article, “Should We Clone Human Beings? Cloning As a Source Of Tissue for Transplantation”. He articulated that the benefits of cloning are infertility treatments, and sources for potential tissue and cell replacements. By remaining relatively unbiased and continuing to reiterate only facts about therapeutic cloning, Savulescu makes effective appeals to logos and argues for the advancement of the pursuit of therapeutic cloning. In this world, there are many people who need organs, and the shortage of donors is crippling to the innumerable recipients, who are desperately searching for a solution. Therapeutic cloning can be that solution. Using cloned stem cells, scientists can reproduce the tissues and organs needed in order for patients to survive. This cloning of the patient’s DNA also eliminates the chance of the body rejecting the implants, because it would be an exact replica of the patient’s DNA, and not foreign (Savulescu). This innovation can save lives all over the world. However, there is a drawback; since therapeutic cloning has not yet been given the chance to be fully perfected; there is a chance of tumors, and other medical complications, such as the mutation of the stem cells, which results rejection by the body. Also, the question of where the eggs needed in order to
If the opponents of medical cloning successfully ban all cloning in the medical industry, the ramifications would not drastically change medical world. In fact if therapeutic cloning was made illegal, it would not affect the daily lives of a majority of citizens. The ban would only be harmful to scientists’ intent on using embryos for research. The ban of all cloning in the medical field would be beneficial to investors who would save millions of dollars on a risky investment. If the proponents were legally allowed to continue therapeutic cloning for research and other medical experiments the benefits could be numerous. Therapeutic cloning has the possibility to create thousands of compatible organs for the patients on long transplant waiting lists. Therapeutic cloning could also make compatible tissue and bone marrow for those in need. Furthermore, this type of cloning could lead to cures for many tissue and cell orientated diseases such as Parkinson’s and diabetes. If the proponents succeed in achieving the right to pursue therapeutic cloning, it could save thousands of lives. However, if the status quo continues, the destruction of embryos will continue to upset those with strong religious and moral beliefs. This encourages a divide in congress, which will also serve to limit the U.S to further its scientific