Cloning in Animals and Humans - Essay Example

Cloning in Animals and Humans Technological advancements have led to new developments and inventions which were considered to be beyond human control. Mankind has moved ahead in all fields. This includes progress in the field of medicine and science. The aspect of cloning is also a major breakthrough in the field of science and medicine. The year 1995 was a year of major success for the process of cloning. It was in this year that the first genetically cloned alive sheep was produced and was named Dolly. This success became a subject of debates and received different responses from different groups. It was an achievement for the scientists but a question of ethics and morals for other groups. This clone was considered to be a path of initiation towards the formation of human clones as well (Pence 2004, p 17). Thus, the subject of cloning of humans and animals has been a center of arguments and debates. The cloning of Dolly in the year 1995 became a matter of concern for many groups. The President of the United States, Bill Clinton did not approve of cloning and issued a statement that the government would not invest in this field of cloning. The National Bioethics Advisory Commission put forward a report in the year 1997 in which it strongly prohibited the research for the formation of human clones. Feminist groups argued against this technique and presented the fact that it would be used by people to promote the domination of the society by males. Hence the subject became a matter of global concern (Kass et al 1998 p XV-XVI). Though there was the initiation of many debates by different groups, the success of animal cloning continued and since the year 1998, different animal clones were produced. These included clones of calves, mice, pigs and goats. A goat was cloned in Japan and it was claimed that the goat would be able to generate milk in a much greater quantity. The cloning of mice was also considered to be a success owing to the fact that they are used very often for the process of conducting medical research activities. These breakthroughs of cloning in animals carried great benefits. Japan cloned cattle which would assist in the production of a greater amount of milk and this would fulfill the shortcomings of this industry in the country. Hence animal cloning carried with it major benefits (Pence 2004, p 17-19). In the United States, the utilization of meat and milk from the cloned animals was prohibited as much research on their safety was considered essential before it was permitted for consumption. A major success was again achieved in the year 2008 when the Food and Drug Administration allowed the utilization and consumption of the products from the cloned animals to be used. The agency issued a newsletter in which they clearly highlighted the fact that there was no harm in the consumption of milk and meat from these animals (FDA 2008). It has been analyzed that animal cloning can be used for the purpose of provision of greater products which are obtained through animals. Furthermore, cloning of animals would be essential for those animals that have reduced in number and thus to prevent extinction of these animals, clones can be produced (Beckett et al 2001, p 50). The major reason for the objection to animal cloning was the fact that it would further promote the utilization of this technique in humans. Scientists considered it beneficial because it would lead to increase the understanding of the process and hence they would be able to analyze the procedures that need to be utilized for the cloning in humans. This is due to the striking similarities between the genetic makeups as well the normal anatomy of the animals and human beings (Pence 2004, p 16). But other groups strongly oppose the idea of human cloning. The subject of human cloning has been rejected owing to the fact that the success of the procedure of cloning is very low and many tests would need to be performed prior to the achievement of a successful clone. These tests could result in the formation of a human clone which may be abnormal. Hence the loss of unnecessary lives is considered to be unethical (Beckett et al 2001, p 51). Religious groups have strongly rejected the idea of cloning as they consider it to be against the rules of God as the creation of man is done by God. Choosing specific traits for a being is unjustified and unethical as humans are born with their natural genes and the creation of a new being on the basis of human knowledge is incorrect. It is argued that 277 attempts were performed before the clone of Dolly was obtained. It is unjustified to use human body constituents for experimental purposes. It is further argued that the bond of the family is weakened by the process of cloning as the attachment between the parents and the children which takes place during natural birth is lost (Cole-Turner 1997, p 27-31). Opponents of cloning argue that this process would make the value of human life decrease and human beings would then be considered to be mere objects of production (President's Council on Bioethics,p107). Despite of all this, the potential benefits of the procedure of human cloning cannot be denied. It holds the potential to leading to the formation of clones of body parts and constituents which can then be used to overcome different disease processes in human beings (Beckett et al 2001, p 51). The cloning of animals and human beings is a matter of debate. It can be analyzed that the cloning of animals is beneficial for the human beings owing to the increased products that can be obtained. Furthermore, species can be prevented from becoming extinct. But the procedure of human cloning is questionable. It does carry advantages but enough evidence and research is required before human cloning can be allowed and it is essential that it should be strictly regulated. Works Cited Top of Form Brian, Beckett, and Rose M. Gallagher. Biology for Higher Tier. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Print. Top of Form Cole-Turner, Ronald. Human Cloning: Religious Responses. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA Issues Documents on the Safety of Food from Animal ClonesAgency Concludes that Meat and Milk from Clones of Cattle, Swine, and Goats, and the Offspring of All Clones, are as Safe to Eat as Food from Conventionally Bred Animals. FDA News Release. 15 Jan. 2008. Web 14 Apr. 2011. Top of Form Kass, Leon, and James Q. Wilson. The Ethics of Human Cloning. Washington, D.C: AEI Press, 1998. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Pence, Gregory E. Cloning After Dolly: Who's Still Afraid?Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2004. Print. President's Council on Bioethics (U.S.).Top of Form Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry. Washington, D.C: The Council, 2002. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More