Cloning Human Organs Should Be Legal in the United States - Essay Example

Cloning human organs should be legal in the United States Cloning of human organs is one of the most contentious medical issues in the United States. There has been a fierce debate on whether this technological advancement should be legalized in the United States or not. Different views have been given with some in support of the idea whereas, other totally oppose the idea. As much as human beings ponder with the issue, it is obvious that there are merits and demerits of the application. The most valuable thing is to weigh out these pro and cons, and eventually come up with the most amicable solution. It is to this effect that some states in the U.S. have banned cloning of human organs while other allow for no other reasons apart from reproduction. Otherwise, the issue will remain controversial, thus denying American the right to enjoy its benefits. This paper seeks to evaluate some of the reasons as to why cloning should be legalized in the U.S. Other opposing views will also be highlighted. Cloning is the art and science of producing two organisms with identical genetic makeup. This science is gaining popularity in medicine, especially when it comes to organ transplant. Since identical organs can be produced using cloning, it is arguably true to posit that the problem of scarcity in organs for transplant will end soon. Through cloning, it is possible to produce another genetically identical organ that can be used to replace a faulty one (Monagle & Thomasma). The basis of this idea is founded on situations such as when a child requires a transplantation to live. Using this and other scenarios, scientists have proven that parents can clone the child’s organs use them for replacement of the faulty organs. The organs of the second child are genetically identical to those of the sick child. This implies that the two can swap the organs without the possibility of organ rejection. Such procedures can be used in large-scale even for the entire population and thus save lives of many Americans. For instance, more than 80,000 people in the United States were on the waiting list for different organs. Out of the huge number of patients, only 24, 861 were lucky to get the required organs (Joseph). However, 6,000 patients died because the required organs could not be found. Therefore, the issue of whether to legalize cloning human organs should not be opposed as such because such deaths could be abated. The United States Constitution recognizes individual right to make choices free from any pressures. According to (Kass) reproduction choices area also included in this right meaning that everyone should be allowed to choose cloning as a means to fulfill his or her dreams. Cloning of organs is one method that will give the US citizens autonomy, if made legal. Besides, there are not serious biological impacts that come with organ cloning. The main thing that cloning of human organs will do is to produce identical organs. In this sense, the society should respect individuals’ autonomy and allow people to choose what they think is proper for them independently. Legalization of human organs in the United States will not only offer Americans a treatment solution but also another reproduction choice. This implies that there will be a wider variety of reproduction methods from which to choose. The right to scientific will also be upheld by legalizing human organ cloning. Research institution will have a strong legal backing and thus intensify their research. This could lead to more discoveries on this topic thus increase chances of great accomplishments as far as genetics and medicine are concerned. Organ cloning, together with the overall issue of human cloning has attracted a lot of attention from different organizations. Some of these organizations have criticized it out of moral, ethical, and religious basis. The European Union, the world health organization, and the United Nations have opposed any attempts to do cloning on human organs in some occasion (Ahlberg & Brighouse). This is because cloning of organs means that human beings are not reproducing naturally. Therefore, this reduces humans into mere asexual beings, same as other lower animals. These allegations have claimed that cloning of organs is likely to be abused especially when commercialized. This is because insufficient attention is likely to be given to the procedures, thus resulting into abnormal organs. In other words, this will add to the diseases list. In addition, opposing groups assert that cloning involve manipulation of embryonic stem cells which can be said to the essence of human life. Therefore, using cloning as a source of organs is actually murder or destruction of human life. Such views have elicited contentious public debates, such as the ones observed during the George bush regime. Using such assumptions to deny legalization of human cloning is unfair. This is because the claims cannot be proven scientifically, meaning that they are beyond human understanding. Similarly, there are no sufficient backings from a religious point of view that embryonic cells are actually human beings in other forms. If this is the case, then it is also correct to say that massive killing happen, when released semen does not cause pregnancy. Therefore, legalizing organ cloning under a regulated environment will seemingly bring little or no harm to the people. Cloning of human organs has been associated with cloning of the entire human being. The media and films have been used to pronounce these assertions frequently. The truth is that cloning of organs does not involve cloning of whole human beings and using them for organ harvesting. According to Ohonsi only the DNA from a desired donor is extracted and inserted into a stem cell, which is then inserted into a young egg. This is done using gene technology techniques. This egg is put under particular conditions to form tissues that are eventually used to grow new organs. This procedure does not involve production of a whole human being who could have more genetic problems as claimed in any way. Only organs with the required genetic characteristics are produced. Therefore, legalizing human organ does not mean that human clones will be produced. Only identical organs suitable for transplant are obtained thus saving lives. Although cloning or human organs is attracting massive debates in the United States, its benefits are much more practical compared to the disadvantages. This implies that the scientific procedure requires only the necessary regulatory, measures to ensure that its legalization does not result into abuse. Otherwise, banning it and denying funds for research will only hinder scientist from discovering more benefits that could serve to benefit Americans even more. Works cited Jaime Ahlberg and Harry Brighouse. An Argument Against Cloning." Canadian Journal of Philosophy (December 2010): Vol. 40, Number 4, pp. 539-566. Panno, Joseph. Animal cloning: the science of nuclear transfer. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2005. Print Kass, Leon. ""The Wisdom of Repugnance: Why We Should Ban the Cloning of Humans,"." Valparaiso University Law Review (spring 1998): Vol. 32, pp. 679-705. Monagle, John and Thomasma David. Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2004. Print Ohonsi, Omole. "Human Cloning." Journal of Medicine and Rehabiltation (2007): Vol. 1, No 1, pp. 12-17. Read More