Cloning: Is It Ethical?
Science today is developing at warp speed. We have the capability to do many things,
which include the cloning of actual humans! First you may ask what a clone is? A clone is a
group of cells or organisms, which are genetically identical, and have all been produced from the
same original cell. There are three main types of cloning, two of which aim to produce live
cloned offspring and one, which simply aims to produce stem cells and then human organs.
These three are: reproductive cloning, embryo cloning and therapeutic cloning. The goal of
therapeutic cloning is to produce a healthy copy of a sick person's tissue or organ for transplant,
and the goal of both reproductive cloning and embryo cloning is to produce and actual living
breathing organism.
There have been many debates on the issue of cloning, but the main question that we
have to ask ourselves is, is cloning ethical? I believe that cloning is totally immoral, but I feel
that in order to understand its morality and our obligations we have to first look at both sides of
the argument, as in most cases, to fully understand the whole picture. In this essay I will examine
the pros and cons of cloning and then I will unpack the morality of cloning.
As I stated and as we all know there are pros and cons to almost everything. Cloning is
not exempt from this. In the eyes of some cloning is perfectly acceptable. Some people argue that
cloning is the logical next step in reproductive technology. Identical twins are natural clones, so
reproductive cloning can be regarded as a technological version of a natural process. If couples
are infertile, why shouldn’t they be able to produce clones of themselves? If a couple lost a child,
why shouldn’t they be able to replace that loved individual with a clone if that is possible?
Equally if someone has made a great contribution to science, music, the arts or literature, it
seems like a good idea to produce more of them in the hope that we might benefit even more
from what would effectively be a much longer working life. What is more, cloning a child could
produce a tissue match for treatment of a life-threatening disease. Also, two lesbians could elect
to have a child by adult DNA cloning rather than by artificial insemination by a man's sperm.
Each would then contribute part of her body to the fertilized ovum, one woman would donate the
ovum, which contains some genetic material in its mitochondria, the other woman the nuclear
genetic material. Both would have parts of their bodies involved in the conception. They might
find this more satisfactory than in-vitro fertilization using a man's sperm.
While some believe cloning to be acceptable others feel equally strongly that human
cloning is completely wrong. With the state of the science as it is at the moment it would involve
hundreds of damaged pregnancies to achieve one single live cloned baby. What is more, all the
evidence suggests that clones are unhealthy and often have a number of built-in genetic defects,
which lead to premature ageing and death. It would be completely wrong to bring a child into the
world knowing that it was extremely likely to be affected by problems like these. The dignity of
human life and the genetic uniqueness we all have would be attacked if cloning became
commonplace. People might be cloned unwillingly – we all leave thousands if not millions of
cells around everyday as we go about our normal lives shedding skin! Who will control who gets
cloned? How much of a possibility will there be for unscrupulous dealings if human cloning
becomes a reality?
I believe that, no matter what “good” people think can come of cloning, it is still totally
immoral and unbiblical. I have to candidly admit that the bible says nothing directly about
cloning. So instead of looking for a scripture that says,” THOU SHALT NOT CLONE!” we
need to open our bible and look for scripture that leads us in the wisdom of God. That being said
there are plenty of scriptures that when rightly divided (read in the right context) clearly tells us
what God thinks about cloning. First cloning is just not wise. The scientists who were successful
don’t even know how it worked, if it will work again, or exactly why it worked. Yes, we know
what they did and the procedure they went through but “Roslin scientists have said the cloning
was the result of much hit-and-miss experimentation and needs to be refined through further
research."
How can we say that this is wise? For the Bible says in Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending
to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish
it?” We lack the wisdom to develop cloning properly, use it, or understand it. Why should we
continue down such a path? How wise is it to board a train going where we don't know, and
traveling on untested tracks? The second reason that I do not agree with cloning is that it is
sinful. This is true for several reasons. First, cloning results in abortions. Cloning is a
complicated procedure that often does not work, so many cloned embryos must be made. Herein
lies one of the great problems with cloning - it turns the divine method of procreating children
into the human method of manufacturing children, enabling the advance selection of a total
genetic blueprint. Cloning would mark the first time in the history of the world of humans
reproducing through asexual reproduction, eliminating the need for parents. If people can just
copy themselves without sexuality, it obstructs God's purpose for the family. God’s purpose for
humanity, and His plan for human reproduction was given in order to reproduce offspring who
could fulfill their God given destiny to bring honor and glory to Him. We are God's children each a miracle from God with His intended purpose and His divine plan for our individual lives.
Foundational verses for our creation can be found in Psalm 139:13-16 where David says, " For
thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right
well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in
the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet
there was none of them.” Further, cloning could be used to have a child outside of the family
unit. God's order for the family is clearly set forth in Ephesians 6:1-4. Children need parents,
both a mom and a dad. If you are not in a marriage where that home can be provided then the
hard truth is God doesn't want you to have kids. But who is it that is most thrilled with cloning?
The homosexual community. Technology is trying to find yet another way to have children
outside of the God-given pattern and plan. Another reason that cloning is wrong and sinful is
because it is playing the role of God. The Bible is very clear in how God has dealt with those that
tried to assume His authority. If someone needs a vital organ to keep them alive whats wrong
with believing and having faith in God that he will do whats best for them and if that is
supplying them with that organ than sobeit, But if not that means that God is trying to call that
person home. Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If cloning is
sinful but brings about some good should it still be done? No! For the bible says in Romans 5:2021; 6:1-2, “ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded,
grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign
through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall
we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.
In conclusion cloning in any way shape or form is not moral. Although There have been
many debates over the issue of cloning we need to look at the big picture, and that is what would
God say about it. The fact that there may be some good about cloning means nothing. If the cons
outweight the pros why continue? Scripture clearly shows us that the means to cloning is sinful,
and will lead to more sin. It is hard to look at any of this evidence and say that God is blessing
this and that it will help humanity, when everything about it is contrary to the word of God. We
need to know and be happy that God made us unique and special for a reason, and that is to bring
honor and glory to him. Know this, “that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not
we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”