Use of Biotechnology: Human Cloning
Thesis statement
Since 1997, when
scientists succeeded in cloning a sheep named Dolly, ethical issues dealing
with human cloning have become controversial. While some believe that human
cloning “would allow us to benefit from perpetrating superior genetic
endowments,” others oppose this belief and state that cloning is “morally
unacceptable”(Kass &Wilson, 6, 53). Throughout this paper, I will analyze
and synthesize the pros and cons of human cloning and why this is controversial
in respect to its use of science and technology.
“Biological
uncertainties about reproductive cloning.” The Lancet 358 (2001): 519.
This article demonstrates the plans
announced by Italian gynaecologist Severino Antinori and US-based reproductive
physiologist Panayiotis Zavos at a meeting held by the US National Academy of
Sciences: creation of human embryos within the next few months by somatic-cell
nuclear transfer, and possibly production of world’s first cloned baby before
the end of the next year (Biological 519).
Boyd, Kenneth M. “The
Two-Edged Sword: Biotechnology and Mythology.” The
Cloning Sourcebook. Ed. Arlene
Judith Klotzko. New York: Oxford University Press,
2001.
In addition to
ethical issues dealing with human cloning, this book also talks about the
importance and unpredictability of biotechnology. This topic could be used to
build a brief connection between my research paper and the class.
Brock, Dan W.
“Cloning Human Beings: An Assessment of the Ethical Issues Pro and
Con.” Cloning and the Future of Human
Embryo Research. Ed. Paul Lauritzen. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
This book provides some
debates surrounding cloning and embryo research as well as public policy
issues. For example, the book discusses the responsibility and political
regulation dealing with reproductive and cloning technologies.
“First
principles in cloning.” The Lancet 353 (1999): 81.
A research
team at the infertility clinic of Kyunghee University Hospital in Seoul, South
Korea, claimed to have created the world’s first human clone (First, 81).
Although the experiment has been halted at a point where the embryo reached the
“four-cell stage,” this experiment created a tension among
many scientists and people from all over the world to debate about the
controversial issues dealing with human cloning (First 81).
Garcia,
J.L.A. “Human Cloning: Never and Why Not.” Life and Learning IX. Ed.
Joseph
W. Koterski, S.J. Washington, D.C: University
Faculty for Life, 2000.
This book
provides a few reasons as to why human cloning should
never be allowed. Cloning “degrades”
human life by treating it as something for us to bestow, and therefore, “of
subordinate and only instrumental value” (Garcia 17).
Glannon,
W. “The Ethics of Human Cloinig.” Cloning. Ed. Michael Ruse and Aryne
Sheppard. New York: Prometheus Books,
2001.
The authors,
Michael Ruse and Aryne Sheppard, demonstrate issues on cloning with selected
works from leading scientists, medical ethicists, healthcare specialists,
philosophers, and representatives of various religious denominations. For
examples, the authors discuss the following: how do the scientific facts differ
from public perception of cloning? If allowed, for what purpose(s) would
scientists clone humans? Are scientists playing God? Should the government
regulate such research? (Glannon 1).
Kass, Leon. “The
Wisdom of Repugnance.” Flesh of My Flesh. Ed. Gregory E. Pence.
Mew York: Rowman & Littlefield, 1998.
This book
includes historical pieces to help understand the background of the current
debate on human cloning. In addition to this, religious, philosophical, and
legal aspects of human cloning are also represented.
McGee, Glenn. “Cloning, Sex, and New Kinds of
Families.” The Journal of Sex Research
37 (2000):
266.
Focusing on the
biological, cultural, and common sense dimensions of human cloning, this
article discusses possible ethical issues associated with the ways in which
cloning may change “family, sexuality, and society” (McGee 266). The article, for example, talks about how sexual encounters will
no more be about making babies because babies will come from a “dish” (McGee 266). Also, most interestingly, if the “progenitor
of the clone is itself an embryo or aborted fetus, the parent would not only be
a virgin, but also a non-consenting non-person that itself has no legally
established standing apart from the wishes of its own progenitor” (McGee 266).
Shicke, Darren.
“Cloning, God, Hitler and Mad Scientists: Arguments Used by the Public
in the Cloning Debate on the Internet.” The
Commercialization of Genetic Research.
Ed. Timothy A. Caulfiend and Bryn
Williams-Jones. New York: Plenum, 1998.
This book discusses the following issues about cloning: Is science
playing God with cloning? Can scientists clone the soul? What happens to
uniqueness and diversity of individuals? How does cloning for organs influence
society? What are the real motives of scientists? What would be some political
regulations surrounding cloning?
Wilmut,
Ian, Keith Campbell, and Colin Tudge. The Second Creation. New York:
Farrar,
Straus and Giroux, 2000.
The book
provides interesting discussions about how clones may not always be identical,
but “functionally different genetically” (Wilmut 277). In addition to this, the book also provides the possible
reasons as to why some people want to clone themselves.