Human Cloning

StateAlexandruLDD MPSI

Essay : Human Cloning

1. Introduction :

        The 21st century is marked by technological advances in science, which we benefit from most of the time. Cloning methods are one of these advances.  Since the last few years cloning has been in the headlines worldwide. 

In May 2005, the first official cloning of human embryos by researchers in South Korea and the United Kingdom was reported, for therapeutic research purposes. Three strictly identical embryos were also obtained in 2008, cloned from adult skin cells.

Cloning is a term coined by H.J. Webber to refer the asexual reproduction of plants in 1903. Today, in scientific terms, the term "human cloning" refers to the exact reproduction of the genetic heritage of a human being, regardless of sex or race. By duplicating a person's genetic make-up, it would therefore be possible to create an exactly identical copy of that person.

        We can then ask ourselves whether: Are cloning methods, which are part of technological advances, a good thing for today's society? Can a human being be cloned for the purpose of using his or her genetic material and organs, considering that the clone is a living being? Wouldn't cloning methods violate human rights?

        In order to answer these questions, we will study: What are the reasons that can push human beings to desire cloning? What are the risks of cloning?

1. Human cloning: What can the human race gain from human cloning?

        First, we will look at the benefits of human cloning. Why would humans seek to be cloned? There are several possible answers. Firstly, human cloning can be used to save lives if it is used therapeutically, treating deficiencies in an organism. For example, cloning an organ could help people who are seriously ill. This means that the life of a person with acute liver failure can be saved by a liver transplant, or a person with kidney failure can be saved by a kidney transplant. People with diabetes are sometimes offered a pancreatic cell transplant. So, there are many cases where an organ transplant is needed to save a person's life.

        In addition, cloning may provide an option for couples who cannot have children. In other words, reproductive cloning would be an additional way for infertile parents to have a child with the same genetic make-up as the parents. In the same way some couples, carrying a genetic or sexual disease that could be transmitted to their child, reproductive cloning would allow the parents to have a child with the same genetic heritage that would be healthy.                          With reproductive cloning, it would also be possible to clone individuals with special "talents", such as certain scientists or athletes.                                                        Finally, someone who has lost a loved one could give them a "second life" by "giving birth" to their clone. In this scenario, the clone would be a replacement person.

But if everyone starts giving a 'second life' to a loved one, will there be enough room on Earth, enough food for everyone?

Therefore, we will now look at the risks of human cloning. Are there any real dangers of reproductive cloning?

1. The risks of cloning (approach, scientific, ethical)

Even if cloning brings us a futuristic look and huge technical progress that will improve the world and society, human cloning incites a gigantic amount of repercussions in several aspects.         

To begin with, from an ethical point of view, it is difficult to accept human cloning for many people because each human is a unique model. Indeed, in a society where there are strictly identical people, one of the two would find a more important social position or place in the eyes of a community than the other. This could lead to a new form of slavery or to strong psychological trauma.

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