¶ … Ethics of Human Cloning
In 1971, Nobel Prize winning-scientist James Watson wrote an article warning about the growing possibility of a "clonal man." Because of both the moral and social dangers cloning posed to humankind, Watson called for a worldwide ban on any research leading to cloning technology (Watson 8).
Until then, cloning had been largely relegated to the realm of science fiction. Scientific research concerning cloning and in vitro fertilization was obtuse and technical, and hardly written about in the news. Watson, however, was a highly-respected scientist, a Harvard professor famous for his discovery of the double helix structure of the DNA. The article he wrote sparked an intense debate over cloning, a debate that was renewed with the 1996 birth of Dolly the lamb, the first cloned mammal.
The argument no longer centers on whether cloning is possible, but on whether cloning is ethical. This paper examines the ethical arguments of those who advocate the use of cloning technology, in the light of Ronald Dworkin's ethical writings on "the sanctity of life" and John Rawls' "theory of justice."
In the conclusion, this paper argues that because the present state cloning technology violates the intrinsic value of human life, researches involving cloning should be banned.
Background
The first step in current cloning technology is removing the nucleus of an egg cell. This enucleated egg then receives transplanted chromosomes harvested from a donor cell. With the new nucleus, the egg behaves as if it has been fertilized. If the transplant is successful, the egg cells begin to divide. This "fertilized" egg is then implanted as an embryo into a womb, for a normal gestation (McGee 7-8).
This was the technique that resulted in Dolly, who was cloned from the cell of an adult sheep. Though human DNA is much more complex, the technique could conceivably be the basis for cloning humans. Many experts believe that a human could be successfully cloned within the next few decades.
Arguments for Human Cloning
For its proponents, cloning technology represents unprecedented opportunities to cure a myriad of social ills. They cite the possibilities for curing diseases, helping infertile parents and same-sex couples and providing organs for transplant. This section examines these arguments in detail.
Medical Arguments
For writer Ronald Bailey, cloning technology is the foundation for "research that could find cures for cancer, genetic diseases...damaged hearts, livers, and brains" (75). Indeed, physicians and scientists are now using a technique called "somatic cell nuclear transfer," which creates stem cells, the embryonic cells that could be grown into skin, nerve cells, hearts and other necessary organs (Bailey 76).
Cloning technology could represent a breakthrough in the treatment of leukemia, one of the more formidable forms of cancer. Current leukemia treatment relies on bone marrow transplants that must come from a closely-matching donor. Since perfect genetic matches are rare, many leukemia patients die before they can find appropriate donors.
However, the same technology that resets the DNA of an enucleated egg cell can be applied to this case. This time, a skin cell nucleus can be taken from the patient and "programmed" to grow into bone marrow. This process will eliminate a long wait to find a matching donor and also do away with possibilities of rejection (Bailey 76).
Similarly, cells can be "programmed" to grow into organs and tissues. A diabetic, for example, can grow a new pancreas that produces adequate insulin. The cells could also be used to grow or repair tissues that have been destroyed or damaged, either through illness or accidents (Bailey 76-77).
This technology, however, is in its infancy. Researchers still need to experiment further with human eggs to learn how to "reset" and "reprogram" these cells properly.
They could also lead to a discovery of why cancer cells divide uncontrollably. The current attempts to block such research will result in the delays of new treatment. As a result, Bailey charges that people who may otherwise have been saved will die unnecessarily (Bailey 77).
Social Needs
Though still in its infancy, cloning technology represents a new way of reproduction, offering hope for many couples that could not otherwise have children of their own.
Gregory E. Pence, an ethicist and professor...
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