Introduction
The cloning is one of the contemporary controversial topics. The development in this area has been made through the history and there are various positive and also negative effects connected with it. Public opinion is not crystallized on the cloning topic where some are in favor and others against. The paper will provide information that cloning can have both negative and positive impacts, and that the knowledge in the public about the issue is insufficient which results in negative attitudes towards it. The thesis of the paper is that despite its therapeutic uses, cloning for the purpose of reproduction is still perceived as immoral and unnecessary. Ideas of cloning appeared in the early 1960s and were become part of public debate in 1970s and 1980 with the improvement of technology and science. The cloning can be defined as asexual reproduction, which results in unique individual. There have been various concerns such and condemnation from the aspects of fear, ignorance, ethical, moral, medical, political, religious aspects (Morales, 2009). The word clone is derived from the Greek word which means “twig”. Cloning is making “a genetic copy or set of copies of an organism” (MacKinnon 2000, 17). There are two different cloning techniques which differ in the purpose of use of the technique: research cloning or therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. They have identical first steps where research cloning aim is to create embryonic stem cells for the therapeutic purposes. On the other side the reproductive cloning aim is to create a copy of the whole animal (Bouhassira, 2015).
Public opinion of cloning
There have been various surveys conducted on the topic of cloning, and they differed in which aspects of cloning they have covered animal, plant or human cloning. The opinion about animal cloning differed a lot among the participants. Based on the Hallman and Condry (2006) the opinions are expressed based on the impression and not based on the development over time in this area and are strongly impacted by the question wording. The idea of cloning still seems exotic and foreign to many which are leading to discomfort and negative opinions. There were more negative as positive reaction, but people know little about the animal cloning and the reasons for cloning are not well understood. The questions related to the cloning were usually beyond the science of cloning focusing on potential risks, benefits and control of the technology. The media analysis showed that the media sources have been rarely neutral without expressing support or opposition to cloning. It is obvious that the public opinion is not yet crystallized on the cloning (Hallman & Condry, 2006). There is more support for cloning of animals as there is support for human cloning, where the majority is against. The current society sees more negative and bad parts connected with the cloning where by the majority the good impacts were not known and negative prevailed. In the period of 1997 and 2013 and examination of the British and American media has shown that political involvement played a role in shaping the public opinion (Jensen, 2016).
Positive and negative effects of cloning
Debate about cloning has two opposing sides, one that is for and one that is against. The opposing side believes that people are playing God and can have various harmful consequences. There have been various negative effects of cloning related to the moral, ethics, culture, religion, social safety and human rights. The supporting side believes that cloning and development in this area could be very beneficial. The positive effects were acknowledged in the area of medicine, bioscience and development of species. Next the arguments in support and against of cloning will be presented, where more will be written on the arguments against since they have been raised more constantly and are more conserving for public.
Positive effects of cloning
The development of the modern medicine has found various cures and the cloning is representing the potential for therapeutic uses. The therapeutic cloning means cloning for embryonic stem cells and biomedical research of human embryos could find the cure to various today uncured conditions and diseases. The public and governments in the United States and in United Kingdom are opposed to the human cloning - for live birth as already discussed but more support is gained for the therapeutic cloning. The technology has been in use in the United States as well the United Kingdom embraced it (Jensen, 2016). There have been various positive effects of the cloning possibilities for humans acknowledge and argued. Investigations could improve diseases and develop new treatment for various diseases and conditions with creating an exact genetic match. Many deaths could be prevented and could bring the medical and social benefits. Another positive side would result in the diminished traffic of organs. Various medical issues could be resolved and one of them is also infertility. It can be seen as a moral act since with the technology of cloning and knowledge it is possible to cure medical issues such as Parkinson, diabetes, cancer, heart failure, degenerative joint disease, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and others. Cloning could be used to fight various genetic diseases. It could also represent an option for the couples who have high risks of genetic disease in order to avoid the risks (Bouhassira, 2015). The medical development in the cloning area has achieved much since the first debate and the research of the cloning began and the cloning of the most known sheep Dolly. The scientists and researchers have achieved a breakthrough in creating genetic copies that can be the cure to treat serious diseases. Various techniques are still in the beginning stage, but they are representing possible solutions for various medical treatments for humans (Guatam, 2001).
The development of biotechnology in the area of cloning could be beneficial since it could lead to more efficient production and to the use of fewer animals. The fewer animals for the meat production would be an advantage. With the various different techniques and genetic modification could be made which would increase the breeding stock. With cloning productive animals the welfare of the human population could be improved. With the cloning, there exists the possibility of eradicating food scarcity. There is a potential to increase disease resistance among animal species. The positive effects of cloning could also solve various human diseases’ caused by the production techniques with the genetic modifications (Bruce A. & Bruce, 1998). Cloning is illegal in Europe, but the potential of it can be seen for farmers with improving animal welfare, food safety and technologies, ability to meet demands for high quality products, having only the best animals, it enables the direct replacement when animals are injured and die unexpectedly, it can improve the genetic merit of herds and commercial performance (Farmers Guardian, 2007). To sum up the positive effects and pro arguments involves reproductive cloning, organ replacement, genetic research, recovering from injuries of trauma and obtaining desired traits (Quinonez, 2007), and can be found in the areas of medicine, bioscience and in the area of development of species.
Negative impacts of cloning
Arguments against cloning can be categorized under the five different categories of arguments: deontological, theological, famine and environmental objections, slippery-slope arguments and concerns with scientists. Deontological objections are arguing that cloning research requires the murder of human beings and it cheapens the value of human life. The human suffering would erase the compassion for vulnerable groups and individuals. Theological arguments are focused on the fact that there is not clear where the research may end and that people can get hurt in the process of experimentation. Social engineering is immoral and unethical and would result in the designer babies and creating of perfect people. The third group the slippery slope arguments are concerned with the fact that there is no clear picture for the future and could lead to the manipulation. Government and others in charged could determine whose life is more valuable. It is causing the ethical dilemma with carrying out experiments on animals. Next are the famine arguments which believe the women may be exploited as embryo farms. People are arguing that money that could be spent for other segment in society would be spent on the cloning research. The last arguments are questioning the trust of scientists. Some believe they should not be trusted to play the highest power and to decide on such matters and they are hard to monitor and regulate (Kelly, 2007).
There have been various moral and ethical concerns raised. Moral issues are one of the arguments against research cloning. Much of the ethical discussion has been focused on the moral status of the embryo. The argumentations against are stating that the cloning is controversial and the use of the therapeutic cloning includes manipulation of the human embryos. Ontological status of the embryo is concerning since they are considered as individual organism or persons, since the criteria for personhood differ and some believe embryos should have the same legal and moral rights as human beings and with cloning the murder happen. The opponents believe the researchers are sacrificing human lives for the research, which is morally unjustifiable. Some believe that the embryo is not a person but has a potential of becoming a one and the cloning is therefore immoral. Various opponents are against the cloning because it can have unintended consequences. The opponents believe that by allowing one type of the cloning it will lead to be used in other areas as well for the reproductive purposes and that is why even the therapeutic cloning should be prohibited. They are arguing that the procedure has not been proven safe. There have been made research on the animals but human beings are different and the information is limited and not sufficient. Opponents also believe the cloning is wrong since can lead to the psychological harm to the cloned child. The arguments against are also morally questioned since they can harm the society. The stability of the family could be threatened because the child could have one or more “parents” and is causing confusion on the family ties. Another reason why it should not be allowed is that the respect for human life would be with cloning diminished. Humans would become replaceable which would impact the social safety (Bouhassira, 2015).
The religion is also preoccupied with the embryo status. Their argumentation against can be derived from the debates about the abortion where any religion is strictly against. The theological assumptions are based on the fact that humans are not God, and are created in the image of God and must be respected and valued as such. The compromises to support the cloning are not present in the discussion of cloning and religion. The cloning is in contradiction to religion values and should be stopped (Kelly, 2007).
With the experiments in cloning of animals the ethical concerns are raised. The genetic modification of animals has led to severe suffering and is inhumane. With the transgenic animals being produced the unsuccessful experiments are carried out. Another issue regarding the cloning is also the possibility of patenting. The patenting of DNA is allowed in the United Kingdom and in the United States, but the patenting of animals is allowed only in the United States. The arguments against are that cloning can have unexpected consequences and undesired results. The resistance of the organism to disease could only be temporary because of the genetic complexity (Bruce A. & Bruce, 1998). To sum up negative affect of cloning: reproductive cloning, increased malpractice, lack of diversity, faster gaining, security concerns (Quinonez, 2014) and can be found in areas of moral, ethics, culture, religion, social safety and human rights.
Possible solutions
There exist inadequate legislation in the area of cloning and genetic modifications. The welfare of animals and humans should be considered in the implementation and developing laws and regulation that would regulate the possible misconducts and diminish the negative effects of cloning. There have been various threats identified on the ethical, moral, social, cultural and religious grounds. The laws should be adjusted to the area of the cloning. The precedents should be done in pointing out the desirable and undesirable actions. There should be clearly identified under which circumstances and for what purposes the cloning can be done in order to prevent the negative effects. All in all people and public should be more informed about the cloning procedures that would give an overall population more understanding on the topic that is based on the presumption of fiction and regarded as strange and dangerous. Governments, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, along with the local, national, regional and international organization should develop a set of rules and laws that would have strict regulation and monitoring for scientists and all involved in the cloning processes. The overall the public opinion should be considered in making new policies and laws. The public debates should be formed with the involvement of the public and scientists on television, radio and internet. Open debate should be promoted all around the country for people to get to understand the topic better and its possible positive effects. The topic should be discussed in politics and Parliament in order to become more common and regulated with passing laws. Information center could be formed that would answer all possible questions in oral and written form and to measure the public opinion on this matter.
Conclusion
The cloning is a controversial topic all around the globe and also in the Anglo-American world where opinions about the cloning are not crystallized. There are various positive and negative side effects residing from the cloning and it seems the public is not well educated about the topic and the cloning process, which can be the reason for the negative attitudes toward possibility of therapeutically possibilities of cloning. The positive effect can be seen in the medicine, bioscience and in the area of development of species and negative are usually connected with the moral, ethical, religious, social and security concerns. The thesis of the paper that despite the therapeutic uses, cloning for the purpose of reproduction is still perceived as immoral and unnecessary can be confirmed based on the public opinion and argumentations.
Work cited
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Bruce, Ann, Bruce Donald. 1998. Engineering Genesis: the Ethics of Genetic Engineering in Non-Huma Species. London: Routledge.
Guatam, Naik. 2011. Cloning Offers Stem-Cell Hope; Scientists See Genetic Copies of Patients as Possible Breakthrough in Treatment. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved:
Farmers Guardian. 2007. Cloning: Is it Worth? Retrieved:
Hallman, W. K, Condry, S. C. 2006. Public Opinion and Media Coverage of Animal Cloning and the Food Supply. Retrieved http://foodpolicy.rutgers.edu/docs/pubs/Animal%20Cloning%202006.pdf
Jensen, A. Eric. 2016. The Therapeutic Cloning Debate: Global Science and Journalism in the Public Sphere. New York: Routledge.
Kelly, B. Evelyn. 2007. Stem Cells. London: Greenwood Press.
MacKinnon, Barbara. Human Cloning: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. United States of America: University of Illinois Press.
Morales, Nestor Micheli. 2000. Psychological and Ideological Aspects of Human Cloning: a Transition to a Transhumanist Psychology. Journal of Evolution & Technology. Vol. 20 (2009): 19-42. Retrieved http://jetpress.org/v20/morales.pdf
Quinonez, Natasha. 2014. The Pros and Cons of Cloning: Is it Worth the Risk? Retrieved https://blog.udemy.com/pros-and-cons-of-cloning/
