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... ff. How could the rest of us genetically challenged people hope to even land a job? Suppose you graduate with a degree in mathematics, hoping to fulfill your dream of becoming a teacher, only to learn that the schools and colleges are staffed with Einstein clones that possess knowledge far superior to yours. Their knowledge would be born from an implanted genetic inclination whereas yours would come only from hard work. You need not be an Einstein, or an Einstein clone, to identify the loser in this situation.
Human cloning holds many possibilities that would be detrimental to mankind in just this manner. Thankfully, to date, legislators are holding off the wave of supporters and lobbyists pushing for the legalization of cloning. In banning federal funds from being used for cloning research, President Bill Clinton stated that, Any discovery that touches upon human creation is not simply a matter of scientific inquiry, it is a matter of morality and spirituality as well Each human life is unique, born of a miracle that reaches beyond laboratory science (Odyssey 3). According to a Time/CNN poll, most people echo this sentiment.
In the poll, an overwhelming 89 percent of Americans feel that it is morally unacceptable to clone humans (Sung). With roughly 9 out of 10 people in opposition, it appears that most people see the nightmarish possibilities of human cloning as a reality waiting to happen. While drawing the line at complete human cloning, there are still many benefits to be derived from this new technology. I would venture to say that the majority of people opposed to cloning would not deny the promise that lies therein for the treatment of disease, deformities, and other genetic flaws. The technology that exists now has armed us with a new knowledge that has far-reaching promise. We stand on the brink of witnessing the elimination, or at the very least, drastic reductions of everything from infertility to leukemia.
For example, through cloning of individual cells, a leukemia patient could receive an infusion of bone marrow grown outside his body that matches his own perfectly. There would be no danger of rejection or the need to take powerful anti-rejection drugs, which have a long list of side effects. Burn victims could receive skin grafts of completely healthy patches of new skin, dramatically reducing scarring. People with macular degeneration, a disease that destroys vision, could receive a transplant of healthy retinal tissue, ensuring that they would not be robbed of their vision (Nash). In addition, organ transplant recipients would receive organs that are nearly identical copies of their own, once again eliminating the possibility of rejection.
Ppl Therapeutics, the same Scotland company that produced Dolly, also successfully cloned 5 female pigs and touted them as a major step in the field of transplantation. Physiologically, pigs are one of the closest animals to humans and by genetically altering the DNA of a pig, organs could be grown that could later be successfully transplanted into humans. Dave Awards, vice president of research at Ppl Therapeutics, says It has the potential to essentially revolutionize the transplantation field (WFMY). While these examples might seem like futuristic scenarios, they are actually realistic possibilities that are on the very near horizon. New and innovative techniques are being continuously developed as research progresses at a furious pace.
In fact, Ppl claims that transplantation of genetically altered pig organs could begin in as little as four years. This is not a technology that offers promise for just our children and later generations, but one in which we ourselves stand to benefit. Dr. Robert Winston of London's Hammersmith Hospital says, Given its potential benefit, I would argue that it would be unethical not to continue this line of research. (Nash). I agree with Dr.
Winston in his contention that we should definitely proceed with research in this field. Although adamantly opposed to the monstrosity of human cloning, I feel that individual cell cloning for the purpose of treating disease and advancing transplantation technology is an arena that we must enter into. Historically, we have taken advantage of every new technology made available. In many cases, technology has enriched our lives with little or no disadvantages.
I believe that our desire to improve our existence through new inventions or discoveries has ultimately created a better world for future generations. However, human cloning must be considered an exception. Although a true marvel, human cloning would eventually lead to a disastrous outcome. Our uniqueness and individuality were not meant to be tampered with, as they are the essence of human nature. Variations in personality and intellect are what drive us to be the people we are. Individual differences are an integral part of our society.
Creating perfect clones and weeding out our imperfections threatens to destroy that environment and, consequentially, make for an incredibly boring world to live in. Our society has reached a threshold that would be morally and ethically wrong to cross. I assert that we can reap the benefits of cloning technology without crossing that threshold. The realization is upon us that, for once, we need to keep our technological drive in check. It is imperative that society makes a collective statement now. Yes, we want to do all that is possible to combat disease, through all possible means.
Yes, we want to advance transplant technology to where people are not dying because of a failed organ. Yes, we want to offer new life to people with genetic deficiencies or deformities. No, we do not want to build the Frankenstein monster of the new millennium. Bailey, Ronald. Send in the Clones. June 1998.
web 1 March 2000 Nash, J. Madeleine. The Case for Cloning. 9 February 1998. web 1 March 2000 Odyssey. com. Potential Benefits of Plant and Animal Cloning. 8 August 1997.
web 3 March 2000 Sung, Ellen. First Human Embryo Cloned. 3 March 2000. web 5 March 2000 The Good Morning Show. Robert Marshall.
WFMY Channel 2. 14 March 2000. Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Human Cloning March 2000
