ELI 82
Student B
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Comments:
This is a good sample too. But you should add:
1) an example sentence for each word in the vocabulary
list
2) the main idea of the article.
Cloning (Current Issues: Science and Medical)
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
(http://www.aish.com/societywork/sciencenature/Cloning.asp)
It is important to establish up-front how cloning works, and what exactly it
is and isn't.
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The topic of cloning came to the fore in March 1997 when Dr. Ian Wilmut
announced that "Dolly" the sheep had been born at the Roslin Institute in Scotland. Dolly
was a clone, genetically identical to her cell-donor. (This is similar to the movie "Jurassic
Park," where a drop of preserved dinosaur blood was used to generate new generations of
dinosaurs.) Oregon researchers have since announced their cloning of monkeys, and
scientists predict that human cloning is achievable within the next decade.
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It is important to establish up-front how cloning works, and what exactly it is and
isn't. Otherwise, the topic can quickly turn into a far-out discussion of science fiction,
which may be boring for anyone who's not a Trekkie. Here's the key background info:
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Every cell in our body contains the genetic coding of our entire physical make-up.
For example, a liver cell contains all the genetic coding for eye color, hair color,
intelligence, skin tone, etc. What happens during the process of fetal development is that
of the thousands of characteristics encoded on the DNA strand, all but one of them is
"silenced." For example, in the particular cell which becomes a liver, only the "liver
DNA" has an active voice, while the eye-color DNA is dormant.
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In the process of cloning, one adult cell (in the case of Dolly, a cell from a
mammary gland) is stimulated to such a point whereby all the thousands of
characteristics are "re-activated" - thereby enabling a new creature to fully develop from
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this single cell. (This was the basis of Woody Allen's 1973 film, "Sleeper," where a world
leader suffers a tragic accident and is reconstructed from his nose)
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There are 3 main steps to cloning:

1) All the DNA is removed from a female's egg. The egg is now a hollow shell,
contributing no genetic characteristics of the egg-donor.

2) Another adult cell, which has been "re-activated," is now fused into this hollow
egg, by means of electric current. This is called "nuclear transplantation."

3) The now-fertilized egg is implanted into the womb of another female (the
surrogate mother). The fetus, which develops through a normal gestation period,
is genetically identical to the original cell-donor. (Question 1)
Every human being is unique.
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Generally, scientific breakthroughs (e.g. man on the moon, etc.) are greeted by the
general public with accolades and enthusiasm. The idea of human cloning, meanwhile,
has been typically received with disdain and trepidation. Why do you think that is?
People perceive cloning as an affront to their humanity and sense of individuality.
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But it is a fallacy to think that "genetically identical" equals an identical human
being. In the 1978 movie, "The Boys from Brazil," an evil scientist conspires after the
War to clone Hitler, in order to raise a new generation of Nazi leaders. The movie shows
that without intense indoctrination, these "junior Hitlers" may be more inclined to
become house-painters than they are to become dictators.
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Consider also the example of identical twins - who are genetically identical -but
often grow up with vastly different personalities. This can be attributed to: 1) unique
souls, and 2) different life experiences. So too, the cloned being has a unique soul, and
different life experiences. (The only difference between twins and a clone is that twins
are the same age, while clones are separated by one generation, or to be more exact, the
age of the cell-donor.)
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The idea has been suggested of cloning Michael Jordon to make (potentially)
great basketball players. It is very un-Jewish - and even racist - to say that the value of a
human being is defined by a particular set of physical features. This philosophy is
promoted by Nazi's and other White Supremacists.
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It is a basis of Jewish thought that every individual has a unique soul. Each human
has a totally unique combination of talents, skills, sensitivities and perceptions. It is that
diversity which defines us as precious and "human." The Talmud says that Adam was
created alone, so that each person should say, "For my sake alone the world was created."
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In order to fulfill one's potential; we need to discover what our unique contribution to the
world is. In the Purim story, when Mordechai sends Esther a message asking her to go
visit the king, he indicates that her very purpose for creation rests on this key moment.
(See Esther 4:14)
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Cloning is a harsh reminder that I'd better get serious and figure out what's the
purpose of life! We can each ask ourselves: If I only had one year to live, what would I
choose to do? What changes would I make in my career and relationships? How might I
change the way I spend my time and my money?
Cloning: Advantages and disadvantages
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We could imagine certain scenarios where cloning could help save a human life.
For example, let's say you only have one kidney, and then discover that you are the only
exact-match donor for your brother, who will die if he doesn't get a new kidney. You
could clone yourself, and then use one of the new kidneys to save your brother's life.
(Question 2)
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On the other hand, the potential for abuse is enormous. The most frightening idea
is "growing" humans in cages, in order to "harvest" their bodies for spare parts. It is not
far-fetched to imagine an unscrupulous multi-millionaire cloning himself in this manner
-- in case he should ever need a kidney, heart, eye, bone marrow, etc. (Question 3)
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Another potential abuse is creating a class of mindless worker-clones. This is
morally (and constitutionally) illegal - it's called "slavery." (Question 4) If the goal of
cloning is to mold a being who mindlessly follows prescribed dictates, this is antithetical
to Judaism. Our tradition encourages independent thought. In fact, the goal of a Jewish
parent, teacher or rabbi is to create independence. That is why the Talmud states that
parents are responsible for teaching their children how to read and write, learn Torah
(gain wisdom for living), earn a livelihood, get married, and swim.
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There are numerous examples of parents imposing their will inappropriately on
children. One is NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich. His father, a former NFL linebacker,
decided from the time Todd was a baby that he would be trained and groomed for NFL
stardom. Every moment of Todd's life was geared toward this goal. In one sense, his
parents succeeded - and Todd landed a pro contract. But on an emotional level, Todd
never met those expectations. He lost his pro contract and became caught in a myriad of
personal problems including an arrest on drug charges.
Conclusion
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So is cloning good or bad? Judaism says there is nothing in the world that is
inherently good or evil; there is only the potential for good and evil. Even something we
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typically associate as "bad" - for example, outrage - can be used for good - outrage
against injustice. Similarly, even something we typically associate as "good" - for
example, giving - can be used for bad - over-giving, or smothering. Talent, education and
wisdom only have potential.
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Surveys show that the majority of people oppose human cloning because of the
great likelihood of abuse. Apparently, people perceive society as essentially irresponsible
and untrustworthy. Nuclear power, with all its potential positive uses, remains a threat to
all humanity. Like the Golem, it is created by human intelligence, but at the same time
may have a dangerous tendency to outgrow human control and become destructive.
Rabbi Moshe Tendler says that "The real problem is whenever man has shown mastery
over man; it has always meant the enslavement of man." It is perhaps for this reason that
President Clinton and many other nations have outlawed government spending on human
cloning.
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It is our prayer that the world will use its powers only for purposes which are
good, holy, and truly "human."
Vocabulary List
1) Accolades (n) an expression of approval ; praise
2) Disdain (v) to look upon or treat with contempt ;despise; scorn
3) Trepidation (n) tremulous fear, alarm or agitation
4) Affront (n) a personally offensive act or word; deliberate act or display of disrespect;
intentional slight; insult
5) Unscrupulous (adj) not scrupulous; unrestrained by scruples; conscienceless;
unprincipled.
6) Dictates (v) to say or read aloud to be recorded or written by another
7) Antithetical (adj) of the nature of or involving antithesis.
8) Inherently (adj) existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable
element, quality, or attribute
9) Potential (adj) possible, as opposed to actual
10) Golem (n) a figure artificially constructed in the form of a human being and endowed
with life.
11) Enslavement (n) the act of o make a slave of; reduce to slavery
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Comprehension Questions
1. What are the 3 main steps of Cloning?
(Answer)
a. The entire DNA is removed from a female's egg. The egg is now a hollow
shell, contributing no genetic characteristics of the egg-donor.
b. Another adult cell, which has been "re-activated," is now fused into this
hollow egg, by means of electric current. This is called "nuclear
transplantation."
c. The now-fertilized egg is implanted into the womb of another female (the
surrogate mother). The fetus, which develops through a normal gestation
period, is genetically identical to the original cell-donor
2. What is an Advantage of Human Cloning?
(Answer) It could help save a life by cloning yourself and using your organs to help
another person who is in need of a matching organ.
3. What is a Disadvantage of Human Cloning?
(Answer) The idea of growing a human in a cage in order to harvest their body for
spare parts.
4. What is another potential abuse of Cloning?
(Answer) Creating a class of mindless worker-clones. This is morally (and
constitutionally) illegal - it's called "slavery.
Discussion questions
1) What do you think are the advantages of cloning? What could be positive uses and
benefits of cloning?
2) Why might you be opposed to cloning? In what ways might cloning be abused?
3) Would you make a distinction between cloning animals and cloning humans?
ELI 82
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4) How does cloning affect the idea that each individual is unique and special?
5) Do you think that cloning is "playing G-d?"
6) If you could become the clone of anyone, who would it be?
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