The idea of human cloning has moved from mere scientific fiction to reality since the cloning of first mammal, the Dolly sheep. The dignity of human lives has threatened the development of human cloning technology. While this has resulted to inevitable concerns questioning the credibility of human cloning technology, major concerns exist on pros and cons of human cloning.
Cloning technology is known to create diversity in genes replica. As a process, it involves production of daughter cells that are identical to the original genes. Therefore, if well utilized, cloning can largely be used as a cure for infertility issues among human beings (Devolder & Gyngell). Couples with problems could apply the technology by using a donor embryo carried by a surrogate whereby the child will be genetically related to the parents. In the similar way, couples with hardships in producing sperm or ovum could apply the technology to produce offspring who are genetically identical. The method is thus, friendly to humans who find it hard to reproduce through other known fertility methods
Elsewhere, humans are known to exhibit variety of health conditions that are times undesirable. In some cases, parents may not necessarily want a child that is genetically identical. In this case, human cloning technology may be used to increase health and well being of offsprings (Devolder & Gyngell). Most hereditary disorders that are associated with genome content can be eradicated through human cloning. Consequently, this leads to genetics transformation whereby children are made according to specifications (Shih, 11). The idea of is further justified on the moral grounds in which human beings should be saved and protected from extinction from the perspective of moral laws. By doing this, the moral dignity of human beings survival will be attained.
On the other hand, human cloning has been perceived as immoral from the lenses of religious, social, cultural and moral grounds. The technology harbors numerous legal and ethical issues that go against fundamental rights of humans to health, procreation, and freedom of thoughts (Lavi, 3). Human cloning is considered as an artificial engineering of human cells which may be destructive. It is a notorious process whereby, manipulation of human embryos could lead to development of controversial humans with questionable traits due to genetic specifications.
Moreover, cloning as a biotechnological process is innately unsafe. Generally, majority of the cloning experiments that have been done to date have ended in serious failures (Shih, 55). Based on experience from cloned animals, the animals die at younger ages. Furthermore, they suffer from premature still births, diseases such as arthritis, and tumors among other complications. Human cloning could further mean that the world would be full of homogenized ideal humans characterized by one based attribute. The scenario would deprive the world of diversity, energized mixes of people, and unique talents that are witnessed today. Therefore, the safety of the cloning technology remains a major public concern that needs critical assessment.
Human cloning s a procedure is encompassed with both advantages and disadvantages in its application. The considerations surrounding the benefits and risks associated with the procedure should venture on respecting the dignity of human lives, respects for their rights, and respect to familial life. When done from an ethical ground, cloning technology on humans could lead to greater advantages in medicine fraternity. However, major concerns exist in case of genetic manipulation which could lead to the development of controversial human race. The technology should be implemented on full respect to international laws.
Works Cited
Devolder, Katrien, and Christopher Gyngell. “Human Cloning: Arguments For.” ELS, Jan. 2017, pp. 1–4, doi:10.1002/9780470015902.a0005224.pub2.
Lavi, Shai. “Cloning International Law: The Science and Science Fiction of Human Cloning and Stem-Cell Patenting.” Law, Culture and the Humanities, vol. 14, no. 1, Mar. 2014, pp. 83–99, doi:10.1177/1743872114522155.
SHIH, CHING-POU. Moral and Legal Issues Concerning ContemporaryHuman Cloning Technology : Quest ForRegulatory Consensus in the InternationalCommunity to Safeguard Rights and LibertiesEssential to the Future of Humanity. 2013, digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=theses.