The process of cloning has remained one of the most controversial topics as debates continue about the pros and cons of Cloning. Cloning which is the process of duplicating DNA or living stem cells can be dated back to over 200 years ago. The two most common types of cloning are Therapeutic Cloning and Reproductive Cloning. Therapeutic cloning is a process that specifies the use of cloning stem cells for the treatment of an illness or disability (Ham, 2007). Reproductive Cloning involves inserting a cell into a host but uses donated embryos to harvest stem cells that can be converted into almost any type of cell needed (Ham, 2007). Many arguments are being posed by scientists, pro-life representatives, medical researchers and religious followers about why the practice of cloning should be allowed or banned with all parties making strong points on either side. Today there is a great amount of experimenting and cloning tests being conducted on animals. The United States government has suppressed support for human cloning practices (Bush, 2002). This report will elaborate on the different views from the pro and con side of cloning and provide a realistic synthesis and a conclusive resolution for the practices surrounding the cloning process.
The benefits of cloning have high potential in areas including, infertility, abortion and the organ transplant process (Ham, 2007). Some researchers such as Panayiotis Zavos who is a leading researcher and authority in the area of male reproductive physiology, gamete physiology and infertility believe that Reproductive Cloning is moral. If humans can be successfully cloned Zavos would like to see it provided as an alternative for couples that are not able to produce children on their own (Zavos, 2002). When a patient needs an organ transplant they face the risk of their body rejecting the new organ (Ham, 2007). To decrease the risk of rejection the receiving patient must have their immune
References: Bush, G. W. (2002). Both Human Reproductive Cloning and Therapeutic Cloning Should Be banned. Retrieved Oct 9, 2008 from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gordon, M. (1997). Suffering of the Lambs. Retrieved Oct 9, 2008, from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Ham, S. (2007). Therapeutic Cloning of Human Embryos should be tolerated. Retrieved Oct 11, 2008, from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Sullivan, B. (2005). Religions Views of Cloning Do Not Agree. Retrieved Oct 9, 2008 from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Wilmut, I. (1998). Animal Cloning Experiments Will Be Beneficial To Humans. Retrieved Oct 11, 2008, from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Zavos, P. (2002). Reproductive cloning is moral. Retrieved Oct 11, 2008, from University of Phoenix Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center.