Is Reproductive Cloning Really Bad?
Is cloning really such a good idea?
What is Cloning?
Cloning is when one living organism duplicates itself to have 2 exact copies of the original.
Background Information
- Dolly the sheep was the first mammal ever cloned(1996).
- Lab in South Korea clones dogs.
- Countries around the world banned human cloning
- Scientists are trying to use the cloning method with partial Woolly Mammoth DNA.
Dolly the Sheep
The first cloned mammal.
Lab in South korea
Here we have 3 identical dogs that were cloned,
"CC", the First Cloned Cat
CC is with her surrogate mother at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.
Pros
- Cloning could save many endangered species
- If farmers clone their best animals, then there would be much more good food
- In rain forests, we could clone trees and transplant them into the rain forest.
- Cloning could bring back the dead
Cons
- There might be an overpopulation of animals if they are cloned
- This could completely mess up the ecosystem
- People might clone themselves just for their organs
- People could abuse their cloning privileges
Conclusion
Honestly, I think cloning should be allowed, but only under a very strict set of rules. If we had no rules with cloning, there would be a bunch of identical people wandering around. There should be a limit to cloned humans and pets. No rules should apply to trees/plants. Also, if a human clones themselves, they should have to take care of the clone.
Citations
"“CC” The First Cloned Cat." UPI Photo Collection. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Public opinion on the moral acceptability of cloning humans and animals, 2001-05." Genetics and Genetic Engineering. Barbara Wexler. 2009 ed. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
Source Citation
"Dolly the Sheep." NYTimes.com Video Collection 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
"South Korean Researchers and U.S. Biotech Entrepreneur Team to Offer Pet Cloning; Footage of Cloned Dogs with Commentary on Ethics." AP Video Archive 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
Gale: Opposing Viewpoints in Context
This is where my research came from.