A Controversy Over The Idea of Human Cloning

Introduction

Cloning has been a controversial topic around the globe since before Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996, and it has recently turned into a real possibility that seems considerably more attainable now than it was twenty years ago (National Human Genome Research Institute, n.d.). The accomplishment of having the capacity to clone a creature has moved researchers to ponder about a more challenging task: cloning humans. To begin with, cloning is a procedure that involves the grouping of similar cells or living beings that all derive from one individual. It is not known when or how cloning humans will become a possibility. However, it is understood that there are two conceivable ways that we can clone humans. The first method involves splitting a fetus into several pieces and creating multiple new individuals from that one embryo (Wikipedia, 2018). The second approach for cloning a human involves taking cells from an existing individual and cloning them, thus creating different people who are identical to that specific individual (Wikipedia, 2018). With these two techniques nearly available, two critical questions arise: Can we do this, and should we?

A Controversy Over The Idea of Human Cloning

The idea of cloning humans is ethically wrong and ought not to be supported. A few people seem not to understand the adverse effects that cloning would bring into the world. Religious perspectives, the expansion of the population, and every human's unique personality are just a few of the supporting reasons that stand against cloning and support why it ought not to be legalized. While there are a few variables that might look beneficial, it does not cancel out the harm that it would bring. One supporter who stands for cloning, Simon Smith, says that it is valuable to create clones for fertility reasons, such as for infertile couples and couples carrying a hereditary illness (Smith, 1998). This statement appears to be reasonable; nevertheless, there are other alternatives available such as adoption, artificial insemination, and surgeries that are more suitable.

Ethical and Societal Implications

It seems to be controversial regarding whether a person who desires to create a clone offspring of themselves would be degenerate or selfish in wanting to do such a thing. There are supporters of cloning, such as Professor Robert Winston, who claim that cloning would be a viable alternative for those individuals who have lost a family member to death (Wikipedia, 2018). Have we overlooked our ideals and the notion that with the introduction of life, death will inevitably follow? It's not something most people anticipate for themselves or anyone they cherish, but inevitably it will approach all of us.

The personality of everyone is another factor to consider when contemplating the results cloning would bring. The personality of people and different animals is what influences you to care for them and create bonds, not their physical appearance. Having a clone that is only similar in appearance but not in identity or character would not bring back a lost loved one. Instead, it could make it considerably harder for people to cope and manage. If clones were created, we would lose that uniqueness. Having human clones in existence would be an insult to humankind and the uniqueness of each person. It would change what it means to be human. Clones could likely end up as another minority battling for equal rights. Would you be able to imagine what it might feel like to realize that you were a clone of another person? Would you feel inferior compared to human life and all that it brings? Would you even have a soul? These are the questions that researchers should really consider.

Population and Resource Concerns

The growing population in the United States and in different nations around the globe is also an important factor to consider. Although it is extraordinary to have a "fountain of youth," it doesn't seem particularly effective. If people essentially "wouldn't die," then the population would be much larger than it is right now. If individuals were experiencing an additional fifty years or more, the world would become noticeably turbulent. We already consume many resources that we need to survive and are doing very little to renew them, so imagine if everyone were sticking around.

The Potential for Genetic Manipulation

In addition, researchers could potentially advance clones to be the perfect human race after extensive research. The DNA of clones could be controlled to influence them to have specific qualities and perhaps mentality as well (The History of DNA, n.d.). They could be made to have a specific capacity in life, for example, becoming an Olympic swimmer or even an executing machine in the armed forces, modified to head out to war. What Hitler was attempting to accomplish during the Holocaust could potentially become a reality if clones were to be created. It has been suggested that not long from now, cloning advances could progress to the level where they could even reproduce a deceased person as a fully grown adult. They could most likely even recreate their past memories and experiences. There doesn't seem to be any moral concerns for this, as distorted as its concept ends up being. Richard McCormick succinctly summarizes the message that society is already twisted, and with cloning technology advancing, we have to be careful about the future (Richard, n.d.). Regardless of what we say or do, research about cloning will continue without a doubt, and many more moral issues will arise.

Conclusion

The adage goes, if it's not broke, don't fix it. This saying should apply to cloning as well. Alongside the scientific achievements, it would bring many damaging consequences to humankind. It might seem like many discoveries could happen if scientific researchers get cloning legalized, but it would result in merely a few benefits and many defeats. The likely outcomes that would exist from its legalization do not make it ethically right to perform.