Philosophy On Cloning
Philosophy: Cloning
By Logan Rosas, Science Enthusiast | November 30, 2015 10:08 CT
Cloning is usually only seen in the media through futuristic Sci-fi movies, but if we choose to keep digging into this particular field of science, cloning could become non-fiction in the near future. As Mike Pence said “While that amendment failed, human cloning continues to advance and the breakthrough in this unethical and morally questionable science is around the corner”. Cloning is defined as “making an identical copy of and/or to replicate (a fragment of DNA), so that there is enough to analyze or use in protein production.” Will cloning change the human race for the better or worse, and should we even be messing with it? The answer is a resounding no, we should not. Cloning should not become a common source of reproduction in the sense it goes against one’s individuality. In addition, cloning would wear down the quality and complexity of life, making life not as precious as it is today. “Cloning represents a very clear, powerful, and immediate example in which we are in danger of turning procreation into manufacture.”- Leon Kass
Cloning is not only morally unstable, it’s unsafe. For example Sandy Adams claims “I am opposed to both cloning and the destruction of human embryos and adamantly opposed to funding of embryonic stem cell research”. A baby Produced from cloning is likely to be morphed or manipulated in a negative way, ultimately making the baby likely to be born with disabilities or not be born at all. The success rate in animal cloning tests are .1 to 3% meaning 970 to 999 failures in 1000 attempts. This is in animal testing… evolution and science has proven that the bodies of humans are more complex than those of most animals. It would be irresponsible for humans to trust their lives and our future with a percentage as insufficient as that. The high rate of failure is due to the transfer of the egg and nucleus not being compatible with the host, or the egg and nucleus may not divide properly. Those two options of failure are only even possible if the biotech scientist is able to successfully implant plant them into the host mother. Therefore, the odds of producing a lively baby through any form of cloning is miniscule to say the least.
Further to the issue of a lack of viability, history has taught us what would happen if the right knowledge gets supplied to the wrong brain. For example, Hitler obtaining the technology of advanced weaponry that was capable of causing mass destruction. Hitler’s tyrannical actions took the lives of millions during the Second World War, and this was possible due to his obtained advantage of advanced weapons and manpower. Similarly, if cloning were to get into the hands of the wrong person it could be fatal to many. Such a person, if armed with profound power and knowledge, would most likely use cloning for his own destructive agenda. Whether this means an army or work force it would be chaotic, hellish, and potentially threatening to the entire human species.
Another example of why cloning would have negative effects on humans, is because it would wear down the quality of life. Clones in society would likely cause groups with different views on cloning to clash, therefore causing discrimination of the clones because of peoples reoccurring negative reaction to change(like a new king or natural disaster or Discriminated ethnic groups merging with society). Cloning would change society greatly, the government would have to create laws and responsibilities for the clones in order to occupy them and avoid a rebellion, because clones are not born naturally and were not raised by a family. Throwing clones out into society to figure out their own path is likely to cause a gathering of clones to fight for their own rights. Therefore, cloning would cause unnecessary conflicts to test the somewhat peaceful interactions between different cultures today. "To subject human beings to cloning is not taking an unknown risk, it's knowingly harming people," Kilner said.
Lastly, many may argue cloning is necessary for medicine. If we cloned humans for organs, are we going to kill them to after we no longer need their organs? Using a human life to save another? Whom is to decide which is more important? Jared Kientz Claimed “You can’t put a price tag on human life”. Theoretically, the science of this process is incredible. However, there are no ethical ways to use cloning. Therefore using cloning for medical reasons is just not ethically stable.
In conclusion, cloning will likely affect human’s future in a negative way, and we should avoid introducing it to the public. As Toby Abbot once said “I would not want to see any relaxation of the law prohibiting human cloning.”
Bibliography:
"Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning." Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.
"Ethics of Human Cloning - Is Cloning Ethical?" Ethics of Human Cloning - Is Cloning Ethical? Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
"Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning." Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Morris, Jonathan. The Ethics of Biotechnology. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2006. Print.
"Cloning: Right or Wrong?" Answers in Genesis. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
"Cloning Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015
