Ethical and Moral Norms Concerning Cloning - Research Paper Example

Cloning Introduction: The word “clone is derived from the Greek word for “twig” and the etymology is the fact that somatic tissues like twigs can be used in the propagation of many species of plants. (Cibelli 2002). The production of Dolly by cloning indicated the possibility of producing live mammalian off springs through the process of asexual reproduction by cloning with an adult donor nucleus. The successful cloning of Dolly the sheep fueled the prospect of potential human cloning which finally permeated public consciousness in 1997. Over the last decade, the prospect has generated great debate and fueled numerous controversies. The idea of producing children genetically virtually identical to pre existing ones might be repelled by some, while it might possibly be the brightest ray of light to a broader society with its infertile couples. The risks and moral concerns pertaining to cloning are greatly outweighed by its tremendous medical and agricultural benefits. Many nations who crave freedom and progress have opposed the legislative interference with science and technology and support human embryonic stem cell and therapeutic cloning research. The isolation of human embryonic stem cells in 1998 has greatly accelerated the study of genetically transmitted diseases and has paved way for the development of novel therapies. (Human Cloning, 2002). The process of cloning: The production of living mammalian of springs through asexual reproduction by cloning is a complex process. A general outline of the processes involved is as follows: i. The first step involves the isolation and separation of an egg from the female of a mammalian species. ii. The mammalian egg cell is enucleated by the removal of nuclear DNA. iii. The nucleus of the donor cell is inserted into the enucleated egg cell. A successful insertion results in the formation of a reconstructed egg cell. iv. The reconstructed egg cell is activated by using certain activating chemicals or electric current. The activation stimulates the egg cell to commence cell division. v. In vitro, the development of the embryo is sustained to a suitable stage. Once the cloned embryo has stabilized it is transferred to the uterus of a female host. vi. The process ends when the female host gives birth to a living cloned animal. The cloned animal is genetically virtually identical to the donor from which the egg cell was obtained. However, the mitochondrial DNA of the cloned animal differs from that of the donor animal. (Human Cloning, 2002). Therapeutic Cloning: The new biomedical technology known as therapeutic cloning has the potential to revolutionize medicine, particularly the treatment and prevention of genetically transmitted diseases. The enucleated donor oocyte is reconstructed and subsequently utilized for the purpose of developing medically and immunologically compatible cells. The process of therapeutic cloning involves the development and dissection of blastocyst- stage embryos and provides the possibility of producing compatible cells which can then be used in the prevention of genetic diseases. Micromanipulation Media: The oocyte species and experimental parameters influence the choice of culture media with which the micromanipulation procedures of cloning are performed. The correct choice of micromanipulation media is critically essential for the success of the procedure. The most commonly used manipulation media are hydroxyethylpiperazinesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffered solutions. The HEPES are buffered versions of bicarbonate buffered embryo culture media and enable the maintenance of a balanced pH outside the incubator. Other standard media which are also popular amongst genetic investigators are M2 and TH-HEPES. (Cibelli 2002). Implications: Cloning has accelerated vital medical research and has provided the possibility of treating a wide variety of diseases. The benefits of cloning greatly outweigh the possible ethical and moral concerns. Cloning can be used to cure numerous diseases including cancers, diabetes, arthritis and spinal cord defects. Furthermore, human cloning research has created a possibility for the treatment and prevention of a terrible host of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. A myriad of other diseases and disorders can be treated and managed if research is accelerated in human cloning. Recent developments in cloning have accelerated research for the management of human infertility and AIDS. Furthermore, human cloning research has the potential to grow cells which would aid in the treatment of individuals suffering from leukemia. Moreover, in the near future cloning can make it possible to grow pancreas cells to treat diabetes and regenerate brain tissue to cure individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. Cloning has also paved way for the production of spinal cord cells to cure individuals who have been paralyzed in accidents or by war wounds. Keeping in view the immense possible benefits of cloning, it is not exaggeration to state that human cloning research has tremendous potential to help and provide hope to millions of individuals around the world who are either suffering from untreatable diseases or craving for a child of their own. (Rantala et al 1999). Conclusion: The concerns pertaining to ethical and moral norms are often targeted by critics but in their haste to criticize they overlook the million ways in which cloning can benefit the mankind. The moral implications related to cloning are forcing the government to ban human cloning research, despite the fact that cloning has provided the possibility of bringing help and hope to individuals around the world. Furthermore, opponents of cloning have failed to realize the fact that cloning might help in the generation of transplantable tissue by typing embryos produced by in vitro fertilization for transplant suitability. In future, the stem cells produced by nuclear transplantation can pave way for the production of transplantable tissues. (Scientific and Medical Aspects 2002). Keeping in view the tremendous potential beneficial effects which cloning can yield it is justifiable to state that the government should loosen its policies and lower the degree of legislative interferences in human cloning research in an effort to accelerate the progress in human reproductive cloning. References: Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry. Washington, D.C: President's Council on Bioethics, 2002. Print. Cibelli, Jose B. Principles of Cloning. Amsterdam: Academic Press, 2002. Print. Rantala, M L, and Arthur J. Milgram. Cloning: For and against. Chicago, Ill: Open Court, 1999. Print. Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press, 2002. Internet resource. Read More