Morality of Cloning

One of the most interesting topics that we covered extensively in class is cloning. There are hundreds of different uses for cloning technology, some of which are theoretical uses, as they require equipment and techniques that are either too expensive or too advanced to use currently. Cloning cells and tissues is fairly commonplace, but techniques for replicating organs and body parts are still being perfected, and are still too expensive to bring into everyday medicine. The more controversial side of cloning is the replication of mammals, or specifically, human beings. Those who are against cloning of human beings generally state that asexual reproduction is unnatural for the human race and generally also believe that it could lead to the modification of humans. This could cause issues in genetics as well as eliminate individuality from the human race. Supporters of cloning believe that genetic modification could advance the human race, as well as eliminate some serious health issues.

Both the proponents and opponents of cloning have valid points. However, I tend to lean toward the advocate side. I think that cloning could have major implications for modern medicine, and as I plan on working in the medical field, this topic holds a particular interest for me. A huge concern with medicine today is that of failing body parts, such as heart failure. If cloning techniques keep advancing at the rate they are currently, organ replacements with cloned cells and tissues could become commonplace. This would eliminate the need for expensive medicines that allow your body to accept somebody else's organ, as well as eliminate the years of waiting one often has to do to get a replacement. Stem cells are able to grow into any type of body tissue, and since stem cell cloning is becoming more popular, it could potentially cut down the costs of "growing" organs and other body parts as well. All things considered, not utilizing cloning techniques seems like a monstrous oversight on all the benefits it could have for humans, as well as nearly every other species on the planet.

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