Animal Cloning: Why it is moral - Essay Example

Essay Cloning of potentially useful medical species and endangered species have attracted much interest over the past few years. Animal cloning has been done since 1885 and the first animal to be cloned was the sea urchin (Cloning 2008). But Dolly, the sheep, is only remembered as the first animal that was cloned. About 21 species have been successfully cloned which includes mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, cats, dogs etc. A lot of these animals have medically important applications like used for examining a disease; produce certain medically useful proteins such as insulin and as a source of organs for transplants (Trust H, Cloning 2008).

Cloning large animals, such as livestock, could be a viable source of organs for transplantation. Cloning also eliminates the possibility of incompatible organs as cells from the patient can used to clone the organ in another animal (Chou V). Pigs have been cloned and used for quite some time as a source of organ transplants into humans. Farm animals are being cloned worldwide to produce high-profit meat, milk or wool producing animals (Trust H). The process referred to as “animal pharming” produces large quantities of proteins, enzymes and therapeutic hormones cheaply from animals (Trust H, Chou V).

In addition cloning of pet animals such as dogs and cats from the dead pet has also been started in recent times (Trust H, Cloning 2008). More recently cloning has also been used to rebuild and repopulate endangered animal populations which may prove helpful in genetic variation and diversity studies as well as possess medical importance (Follett E). According to Emily Follett, ‘ Cloning of endangered species….a viable option for their preservation and repopulation’ (Follett E).The first cloned endangered animals being the “gaur”, an Asian Ox, from the DNA of a dead male gaur fused into the egg of a domestic cow, which gave rise to a baby gaur that did not survive for long.

However better results are being obtained in this field, an example being the successful cloning of kittens from adult African wildcats. Storage of frozen tissues of endangered species has also been widely propagated so that the DNA of these animals could be saved over decades and they would be available for cloning at any point of time (Follett E). In addition to cloning endangered species and those close to endangerment, cloning, in the near future, can also help to revive extinct animals if a viable source of DNA present.

Thus in conclusion, cloning of animals has a lot of beneficial effects to the society at large given the medical and therapeutic benefits it has to offer. In addition, cloning of endangered and exotic species will help to preserve our ecology and ecosystem. Suitable measures should be adopted to promote animal cloning in the best possible way without any harmful effects to the animals or humans. Reference:1. Trust H. Animal cloning. Humanity in research. 8 September 2008 www.drhadwentrust.org.uk2. Cloning.

2 July 2008. 6 September 2008. http://www.scholieren.com/werkstukken/330223. Follett E. Cloning: An option for Endangered Species Conservation. 7 September 2008. 4. Chou V. Advantages of Cloning I Humans and Animals. 8 September 2008.