The idea of cloning human beings might seem futuristic and something only done by mad scientists in science fiction movies. However thanks to our recent advancements in technology this idea might turn into reality. Like any new concept there are always many people that are opposed to it and believe that it has no place in our society. These people believe that the cloning of human beings will bring horrible consequences. Luckily alongside of these negative consequences there are always wonderful benefits. Cloning does not have to be an intimidating concept; actually with the right ethnics and morals in mind the benefits of cloning will far outweigh its consequences.
Cloning and other forms of genetic engineering performed on animals can lead to many health benefits for humans. Animals engineered with human genes can be used as test subjects for drug tests and provide the same result as a human subject. This type of engineering can also lead to the development of human organs cloned into different animals; this is known as cross-species organ transplants or xenotransplantation. An example of this was “in 1996, the liver of one such genetically altered pig kept seventeen-year-old Robert Pennington alive for several hours while doctors located a human donor liver to replace his dying organ” (Judson 36). If the technique of xenotransplantation is perfected then it will cover the international shortages of organ donors and have a ready supply of organs. If this is achieved then it will also eliminate the black market for human organs.
The cloning of specific human organs and can also be used to save the lives of the thousands. “Over 50 percent of the people who need a transplant in the United States will die before they get one” (The Mackinac Center for Public Policy) The cloning of human organs without cloning an entire human being can provide an alternative to xenotransplantation. Cloned human organs will also take away the problem of rejection by the body’s immune system. This provides the sick with perfectly matching donor materials that the patient requires.
We do not need to clone an entire human being to receive its benefits in fact cloning individual cells can provide treatments to a vast number of diseases. This type of cloning is known as the cell line it is a technique used to create treatments for health problems like diabetes, haemophilia and cystic fibrosis. Cell lines can be either used by themselves or introduced into host animals that produce the needed substance. For example scientists have created enzymes found in jelly fish and other sea animals that might be able to light up tumours and make them more visible during an operation.
Human reproductive cloning provides a solution for infertile couples to have their own biological children. Current treatments for infertility have a less than 10 percent success rate. Cloning for reproduction will also take away the side effects that current treatments have some of which include cancer and other cancer related diseases. Cloning allows infertile couples to have children without relying on sperm donors. This can be performed by injecting cells from the father into the egg and implanted into the mother’s uterus for pregnancy.
Cloning is an almost feared concept thanks to the negative influence of science fiction movies. Luckily the reality of cloning is quite the opposite; it is a fantastic medical advancement that that provides us with a ready supply of organs for transplants, gives us alternative then relying on human donors, creates a new way to cure diseases and provides infertile couples with the chance to have biological children. These are all wonderful benefits from cloning that will overshadow its drawbacks as long as we exercise self control and not go beyond our moral boundaries.
