Examples of Biotechnology Answer the following questions: Is there a moral diffe
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Question
Examples of Biotechnology
Answer the following questions:
Is there a moral difference between human reproductive cloning and genetic engineering or therapeutic cloning?
Do the same arguments apply with equal force? Explain your position.
2.think on a global basis. What one innovation or technological advancement would be the most beneicial if it were available throughout the world tomorrow?
Explain why you chose the innovation or technology that you did and why mankind would most benefit from its widespread adoption. Read your classmates' choices and comment on two.
Explanation / Answer
1) Human reproductive cloning is the creation of an individual who has identical genetic make up to an existing human being. It involves the creation of an entire copy of human, instead of specific cells or tissues. This is regarded as unethical and is prohibited in several countries.
Therapeutic cloning is the removal of nucleus which contains the genetic material from a somatic cell of the body and this nucleus is injected to an egg cell in which the nucleus is already removed. These are then allowed to divide and embryonic stem cells are developed. These cell lines thus have identical genetic constitution to that of the cell from which the DNA was originally removed.
Human reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning are not commercially used owing to ethical implications.
Experts believe that therapeutic cloning can be done to treat patients with transplants who are not able to receive organs in any other way. Effects of aging can also be reversed through therapeutic transplants. Reproductive cloning mainly helps parents who are not able to procreate. Even though these methods favor clinical and scientific aspects, they are highly disregarded in moral respect.
Objections raised against these methods include
1) Consequences on family relationship, individual and society.
2) Are cloning techniques really safe? There are arguments regarding whether abnormalities would arise with these techniques like oversized individuals or oversized organs and other complications like respiratory, circulatory disorders etc.
3) Loss of uniqueness of an individual. All humans are unique in its own respect. This uniqueness is diminished through cloning techniques which in turn questions the notions of human freedom.
4) Reproductive cloning is an asexual form of reproduction which stands against the nature. This can surely destroy human relationships in the long run.
Though on moral aspects both cloning techniques are similar in many respects, reproductive cloning is more prone to abuse due to societal repercussions.
Arguments supporting human cloning
1) Human cloning is considered as boon to child-less couples who are unable to have children through fertility treatments. Genetically related offspring can be developed through reproductive cloning.
2) Parents who lost their first child prematurely are able to create a second version of the first child through reproductive cloning.
3) Creating a genetically identical child is helpful when a clone is able to provide tissue/organ to the adult from whom he was created.
4) Safety concerns regarding cloning techniques can definitely be overcome by careful procedure and evaluation. Once cloning techniques are practiced and perfected in animals, the trials in humans will be much safer.
Thus, arguments supporting the cloning techniques apply equally for both human reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning.
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