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Easily the most controversial subject of our century is cloning. It is heatedly debated among politicians, the medical society, the ethicists, the scientists, and the general public. One major problem with arguing this subject is the lack of standards or understanding of what exactly cloning is. This lack of knowledge is what makes cloning so dangerous, not to mention the fact that we are dealing with living beings. Cloning, in its very nature, tests the limits of our societies and their value on life. In this paper I hope to present some of the facts so you can formulate an opinion of your own. As for me, I hope cloning becomes an abhorred practice of the past that is remembered with shame.
First we need to discuss what cloning is. Cloning is the term used when referring to several processes of duplicating biological tissue. There are three main cloning "technologies" which can be used for other purposes than making genetic copies. An understanding of the types of cloning is important to make informed personal decisions. Recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning are the existing techniques. (Cloning Fact Sheet)
Recombinant DNA technology, also known as DNA cloning, molecular cloning, or gene cloning, all refer to the same process. This process comprises of transferring DNA fragments from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid then propagating it into a foreign host cell. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules, distinct from the normal bacterial genome. (Cloning Fact Sheet) To clone a gene, a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same restriction enzymes. When the fragment of chromosomal DNA is joined with its cloning vector in the lab, it is called a recombinant DNA molecule. (Cloning Fact Sheet) Scientists that want to study a particular gene will use this method to create multiple copies of the same gene. This technology has been widely used in molecular biology labs since the 170's.
Reproductive cloning technology is used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another existing animal. In a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), scientists transfer genetic material from the nucleus of a donor adult cell to an egg whose nucleus has been removed. The "reconstructed" egg must be treated with chemicals or electric current in order to stimulate cell division. Once the cloned embryo reaches a suitable stage, it is transferred to the uterus of a female host where it continues to develop until birth. The famous sheep named Dolly was a result of reproductive cloning. The ensuing offspring is not truly an identical clone of the donor animal. Only the clones chromosomal or nuclear DNA is the same as the donor, some of the clones genetic materials contain their own short segments of DNA. It was originally believed that once a cell became specialized it could not be "reprogrammed" but with the birth of Dolly the sheep it was proven that cells could be reprogrammed. This reprogramming is not flawless however.Some scientists believe that errors or incompleteness in the reprogramming process cause the high rates of death, deformity, and disability observed among animal clones. Some drawbacks of this method of cloning are that it is expensive and highly inefficient. (Cloning Fact Sheet)Write my Essay on Cloning
Therapeutic cloning is the production of human embryos for use in research. The goal of this process is to harvest stem cells that can be used to study human development and to treat disease, but could easily develop into human cloning. Stem cells are important because they can be used to create virtually any type of specialized cell in the human body. Stem cells are extracted after the egg has divided for 5 days. The egg at this stage of development is called a blastocyst. The extraction process destroys the embryo, which raises a variety of ethical concerns. Many researchers theorize that one day stem cells can be used to replace sick cells to treat heart disease, Alzheimers, cancer, and other diseases. In November 001 a biotechnology company in Massachusetts, cloned the first human embryos for the purpose of "advancing therapeutic research". This is one of many points where the ethical dilemma becomes entwined with the science. To clone an embryo they collected eggs from womens ovaries and then removed the nuclease with a needle less than /10,000th of an inch wide. A skin cell was inserted inside the egg to serve as a new nucleus. The egg began to divide after it was stimulated with a chemical called ionomycin. (Cloning Fact Sheet) Although this process was carried out with eight eggs, only three began dividing, and only one was able to divide into six cells before stopping.
Typically only ten percent of cloned embryos survive. The ones that do are plagued with problems ranging from abnormal birth weight, large placentas, to death at an early age. Researchers are uncertain just how big the problem is but it seems to be in the genome integrity. In the cloned embryos various genes do not seem to operate normally or on a reduced level. Based on all this information it is believed that the problems are not from gene mutation but from errors in the program or gene activation. These findings were from a technique called DNA micro array analysis, where large amounts of genes are analyzed on a gene chip. In this process the functioning of the genes is measured. (Genome News Network)
Almost as a side note would be the field of genetic modification called inheritable genetic modification. In this area only certain attributes would be affected such as hair color, eye color, muscular build ect. Not truly cloning per say but made to order babies or animals basically controlling the final product. This field comes with its ethical burdens as well.
Although there are claims to medical breakthroughs as the result of cloning studies; such as organ replacement, specialized animal stock, and disease control, the medical community as well as the political community is far more skeptical. The sheer uncertainty and low ratio of success have brought many to question the viability of this area of science. Bringing in an almost criminal element would be the doctors or fanatical groups that continue to pursue human cloning with the disregard of the scientific community. To hopefully put an end to reckless experimentation several initiatives have been proposed. For the most part it seems that therapeutic cloning is generally accepted due to its medical benefits whereas reproductive cloning and inheritable genetic modification is not. Most people accept the need for organs (therapeutic cloning) but can not justify the need for human clones (reproductive cloning or inheritable genetic modification). If allowed to continue unchecked a new age of eugenics could arise that would undermine society as we know it.
Although some advocates for a new eugenics are becoming vocal most authorities agree on a basic set of policies that must include national and global bans on reproductive human cloning, inheritable genetic modifications, and regulation and accountability of other human genetic technologies. While thirty other countries have banned human cloning and inheritable genetic modifications the United Nations is attempting to develop a global ban on these technologies. (Centers for Genetics and Society)
The US itself has had problems developing legislation toward cloning. In 18 the biotechnology industry and pro-choicers lobbied successfully against a republican bill that would have banned both reproductive and research cloning. A few years later in the 001-00 senate several bills and there co-bills bounced back and forth being amended over and over again to try to appease certain lobbiest groups. For the most part reproductive cloning would have been banned but research cloning could continue, however a deadlock could not be broken so the vote was put off. (Centers for Genetics and Society)
It seems that cloning will continue to be a much debated topic with supporters rallying on both sides. Deciding for or against cloning requires at the least a basic understanding of the issues at hand. I can only hope that this article has answered some of your questions.
"Genome News Network" September 7, 00. Online Posting. Cloned Mice Have Genomic Flaws. http//gnn.tigr.org/articles/0_0/cloned.shtml
Human Genome Project Information" Tuesday, May 7, 00. Online Posting. Cloning Fact sheet. Tuesday, May 7, 00. http//www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/elsi/intro#intro
Centers for Genetics and Society" May 0, 00. Online Posting. Human Genetics in the public interest. http//www.genetics-and-society.org/overview/summary.html
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