Genetic Cloning 1
Genetic Cloning
Klarissa Saldivar
Amanda Arambula
Kimberly Perales
Texas A&M International University
10 November 2014
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Genetic Cloning
There are seven billion people in the world and although we may acquire similar qualities
no two individuals are exactly alike. Every human being has a specific appearance, personality,
and set of genes that make up who they are. It is for this reason that for the past decades cloning
was a fictitious idea that seemed to be scientifically impossible until the successful cloning of
Dolly the sheep in the year 1997. It is this discovery that arose concern throughout society and
gave light to new findings. Many individuals were eager to learn about the benefits cloning
would provide to society, while others were concerned about the disadvantages and possible
risks it may have on mankind.
Human cloning might be undertaken for various purposes such as biomedical research,
organ replacement, and reproductive cloning. Many genetic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer,
and heart disease rank in the top ten leading causes of death in the United States which have
taken the lives of many individuals and continue to do so as generations progress (Centers for
disease control and prevention 2014). The cloning of healthy human cells can reduce the number
of genetic illnesses in further generations by granting scientist the proper tools to conduct
biomedical research. One aspect of this possibility is due to the close relation between cloning
and stem cell research in which scientists believe that stem cells derived from cloned human
embryos are useful for the study of many genetic diseases and help devise more effective
therapies. Organ replacement is another medical benefit provided by cloning which can replace
failing organs in the human body and diminish the waiting list for organ donations saving the
lives of various individuals. Not only will it increase chances of survival for individuals in
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crucial situations, but because the organ is, in fact, your own organ, there would be less chance
of organ failure in the future.
Aside from diminishing genetic illnesses and increasing organ replacement, reproductive
cloning is another benefit provided to society. In the United States there are 6.7 million women
between the ages of fifteen to forty-four who are infertile, by not acquiring the ability to
conceive or carrying a baby to full term (Centers for disease control and prevention 2014).
Reproductive cloning, technically known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, grants parents with no
egg and sperm cells, the opportunity to create children that are genetically related to them. This
brings hope to all parents eager to have children but unable to produce their own. Through the
same process, endangered species can as well be reproduced increasing population and
decreasing endangerment.
Yes, cloning can do things that are unimaginable, inconceivable, and mind-boggling.
Although, Cloning does involve many cons to each and every pro. Parents cloning their children
can create an understanding that they are created to live up to the expectations of the child they
were created from. Imagine that you were created from your brother or sister that past away and
having to live your life replacing them and/or being compared to them. Cloning would also cause
a lack of uniqueness and cause people to view clones as “less than humans”. If cloning did
become real, what would protect you from being cloned? Scientists have estimated that the
human body is made up of around 10 trillion cells, about 30,000 to 40,000 of those skin cells fall
every single day. You can leave skin cells in any object such as door knobs, keyboards, desks,
etc and those cells can be used to create clones of you. Each person’s identity and individuality
would be jeopardized, would there be any security to protect your rights as a true individual?
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The success rate for cloning of animals is far from that of what we assume it would be.
Dolly, the first successful large mammal clone was one of the very few, and I stress the word few
because it is so rare to have a cloned animal survive, much less for a span of 6 years. However,
has anyone heard of the failures present long before Dolly’s existence? The effect of these
failures has brought up techniques for improvement in regards to research and cloning
procedures, or so we think. If we were to compare the success rate to that of the failure, a inquiry
as to why this research is still being conducted would unravel. Approximately 1 to 3 percent of
animals are successfully cloned; therefore the percent of the failed clones is extremely high. It is
in fact a miracle that scientist have succeeded, aside from it being a diminutive percentage. With
a high likelihood in reference to the many things that can go wrong, a few triumphs also go a
long way. It takes over hundreds of failed attempts to come closer and closer to a viable clone.
Aside from being an expensive and time consuming procedure, it still remains a mystery to most
scientists. One day they may have an animal that appears to be in tip top shape, but when the
next day rolls around the animal is found dead. Common unfortunate failures include clones with
defects and abnormalities that furthermore lead to short, complicated lives. That which the
human eye sees on the exterior is not always concrete. What may appear to be a perfectly cloned
animal on the surface usually has hidden complications internally, so are the successes really
successes?
The common controversy that casts upheaval in the U.S between science and
religion is a topic of continuous debate. This rift between both has led to commonly held views,
that Christians overtly dismiss the sciences. Scientists are not far too different from the rest of
the public when it comes down to partaking in religious services. There is a similar amount of
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scientists and the public who share the same beliefs in regards to practicing their religion actively.
About 27 percent of America believes that there is a conflict between science and religion.
However, a new study shows that things can take a turn for the better if we approach the matter
with collaboration in mind, rather than combat. A majority of scientists who are
Christians practice religion far more intensely than evangelical Protestants in the United States,
unfolding truths most thought were fictitious. Today we are told neither of the two is
irreconcilable; religion undertakes an anti-science battle and science pushes anti-religion aside
valiantly. Some Protestants argue without religion we would not have science because the first
literature people read were the Book of Gods. On another note we have those who defend
science. According to them, science continues to gather up sufficient evidence against religion
and the Book of Gods. It is unreasonable for others to condemn free thinking scientists to a life
revolving religion. Yet there is no reason to form battle like borders between the two. At the end
of the day both are searching for the same thing. There should be no reason to limit ones
ideology or perspectives when searching for the truth, but we can limit the places we are looking
into. This can be a logical start.
Over the last 50 years, cloning has progressed taking cloning one step closer to being in
our future. Cloning has given scientists the opportunity to advance science and give the world a
better future. Cloning can revive endangered or extinct species, help replace failing organs, help
with genetic research and combat genetic diseases, extend human life, and more. With the
advancement of cloning scientists would be able to complete wonders for human and animal life.
Despite all the pros and cons, nothing is neither too good or too bad. Cloning has proven to be
something that can change the future but it does have many downfalls such as the dangerous
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testing on animals, malfunctions, and lack of individuality or security to humanss. However it is
something that must be considered and will take more than just a few minutes to decide on a
side. We are neither pro or anti cloning and believe it is something that must take a lot of time,
research, and evidence to come into a conclusion. Everyone will have their own opinion on
cloning and the true question is- is it worth the risk?
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Works Cited
Natasha Quinonez. The Pros and Cons of Cloning: Is it Worth the Risk?
http://www.genome.gov/25020028. May 26, 2014. Website.
National Human Genome Research Institute. Cloning.
https://www.udemy.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-cloning/. April 28, 2014. Website.