Ivan G. Pierce
English 1311
July 15, 2000
Double Trouble
One of the most controversial topics in circulation today is human cloning. It is
possibly the most highly disputed issue in the media today. Human cloning is heavily
scrutinized on the basis of its morality and the uncertainty of its effects. It has been a
major topic of controversy concerning its ethical applications, but in fact, its benefits
outweigh its drawbacks.
Cloning is the scientific process where one or more cells from a mammal are
collected, cultured, and genetically engineered to exactly resemble the donor. An easier
way to understand this is by looking at the natural clone, or identical twins. Just like
identical twins, a clone has the same basic genetic code and in theory should be an exact
replica of the provider of the cell/cells. In the case of identical twins, a fertilized egg cell
splits into two identical cells that simultaneously follow the same genetic code while in
the uterus of the natural mother. In cloning, that same process is emulated in order to
produce the same results. The ‘clone’ is subject to the requirements of the scientist and is
usually a replica of an adult mammal, whereas in the case of the twins, it is a more
naturally occurring event and the twin is a carbon copy of a cell of the same age.
There are three commonly used techniques in cloning: the “twinning” technique,
the Roslin technique, and the Honolulu technique. The “twinning” technique is a
technique that is most closely related to the naturally occurring identical twins, hence the
name. In this technique, a number of cells are split off of a fertilized egg cell, or embryo,
and implanted into the uterus of separate surrogate mothers. The number of cells that are
Ivan G. Pierce
English 1311
July 15, 2000
separated from the original cell and implanted into the surrogate mother(s) during the
embryonic stage--before the cells begin to differentiate--determines the number of clones.
The second method is known as the Roslin technique, which was developed by Ian
Wilmut and Keith Cambell. In this method, two cells are required: a donor cell and an
unfertilized egg cell, or an oocyte. Using this technique, the nucleus of the oocyte is
removed to eliminate its genetic information, and the donor cell is forced into a dormant
stage through a systematic process of culturing and starvation. This is a necessary step
for the reason that it synchronizes the cycles of both cells in order to ensure that the
donor’s nucleus will be accepted by the egg cell. The cells are then fused together, and
the growth activated, by the use of an electric impulse. If the embryo survives, it is
incubated in the oviduct of a surrogate mother for six days and then placed in the uterus
of the surrogate mother.
The third, and most effective technique is named the Honolulu technique, after it’s
place of origin. This technique was developed by a team of scientists at the University of
Hawaii in July of 1998, and closely resembles the Roslin technique with the exception of
the incubation time and the types of cells used. These scientists found three types of cells
that naturally remain in a dormant state: brain cells, Sertoli cells, and cumulus cells
(Three ways). This canceled the need for synchronization of the cells and affected the
rate of success. The Honolulu technique is considered to be the best technique because of
its careful development and the fact that it’s success rate is higher than that of the Roslin
technique.
Ivan G. Pierce
English 1311
July 15, 2000
There are some drawbacks to the advancement in cloning technology. Many
people believe that these experiments are unethical and immoral. There are those who
believe that it is not a natural process and we should not try to emulate God. These
people feel that it is wrong to try and produce another being because it is not our place to
do so. There are emotional risks in cloning as well, such as a child realizing that her
mother or grandmother is her sister, making it difficult for the child to find her own
identity (Don’t Clone). There is the risk of developing more genetic disorders, and the
fear of health problems associated with the mutation of genes. Another concern in the
banning of cloning is the possibility that the technology might be abused for purposes
other than the benefit of mankind.
The science of cloning should be studied further at a controlled and regulated
pace so that these concerns are no longer necessary. Those who use God to hide their
personal fears in the advancement of technology can only defend their accusations when
a more extensive comprehension of the subject is acquired; therefore, the study of cloning
should not be considered ungodly. Why would God give us the ability to create
something if it is wrong to do so? Also, if the experiments are regulated then there
should never the possibility of a child having identification problems, or a world crisis for
that matter. With that being stated, the benefits of cloning would definitely surpass the
unethical and immoral downside by far.
There are many advantages to be gained from cloning, in theory. One of those
many benefits is the capability of reproducing organs, or cells for damaged organs, giving
Ivan G. Pierce
English 1311
July 15, 2000
those who require an organ transplant or burn victims or even severely injured persons
the cells required for the reconstruction or the replacement of damaged organs. They
may be able to regenerate new nerve tissue, or the entire spinal cord for quadriplegics.
Cloning technology may also provide an effective gene therapy against many genetic
disorders like cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sach’s disease, and Down’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, degenerative joint disease, and heart disease
(Benefits). The possibilities and applications are endless.
Another problem that might possibly be resolved by cloning technology is
infertility. Infertile couples have found hope with the experimentation in human cloning.
They would be provided with a second chance to have children where the current
treatments for infertility have failed. The current techniques used for infertile couples
have very low success rates, but human cloning will most likely deliver a higher success
rate with a less physically and emotionally painful approach than the current treatments
(Benefits).
Reconstructive surgery and the replacement of lost limbs are definitely fine
advances that can be explored through the study of human cloning, but probably the most
important benefit of all is the possibility of curing cancer. Scientists may be able to fully
understand the mechanics behind cancer and learn how to ‘switch’ the cancer cells off.
Leukemia is expected to be one of the first of the various types of cancer to benefit from
cloning technology. They anticipate that the bone marrow could be cloned for those who
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English 1311
July 15, 2000
suffer from leukemia, and then transplanted into the patient’s bones. This new possibility
has given hope to those who suffer from this and other terrible diseases (Benefits).
There are many beneficial properties that the technology of cloning has to offer,
and we should not be so narrow minded that we forget what might happen if it is abused.
If this new technology is studied responsibly and cautiously, a whole new bank of
knowledge may be opened and explored. With the exploration of the scientific
applications of cloning and nuclear transfer, we can better understand the strengths and
weaknesses in the new found science, but as far as is known today, the benefits are
overwhelmingly greater than the shortcomings in the matter of it’s ethical applications.
Ivan G. Pierce
English 1311
July 24, 2000
Works Cited
Human Cloning Foundation. "The Benefits of Human Cloning." Internet
<http://www.humancloning.org/benefits.htm>, 1998.
Kayotic Development: "The Three Ways to Clone Mammals." Published by the Human
Cloning Foundation 03/03/1999, <http://www.humancloning.org/threeway.htm.>
Don't Clone - 3 Reasons “Should we ban human cloning?” by Dr Patrick Dixon
<http://www.globalchange.com/noclones.htm>