As science and technology advances, there are increased prospects that it will venture into territories that are beyond the imaginations of human kind. There recent discoveries brought forth by science have been a source if immense controversy, evoking a heated ethical and moral debate with also concerns raging over the suitability. One such issue that has dominated the United States public court for close to two decades now is cloning. There is unanimity that the prospects of human cloning have raised huge tensions amongst medical activists; there are various worries over how it will impact on the human health and also on the environment.
Despite these concerns, it is important to emphasize that this is a technology that exposes humanity to a world of unlimited possibilities that will provide an understanding and solutions to a number of maladies that have remained incurable. Cloning will improve human medicine Indeed, cloning technology will immensely revolutionize the field of medicine. Human cloning promises to present scientists with answers to the cures of numerous diseases that history has placed in its way. Cloning will enable geneticists to examine various possibilities that have in the past been considered elusive.
The stem cell research, an issue that too has been controversial, has brought the public a glimpse of the limitless opportunities that cloning technology will bring. The stem cell research dates back to the mid 1960s when scientists began studying the process of cell division and differentiation observing how such knowledge could be duplicated in advancing medicine. Research into human embryonic cells began in late 1990s. According to the existing research, embryonic stem cells possess the ability to repair damaged tissues.
(Lauritzen 98) This hence means that stem cells to repair the defective body organs can be produced making various diseases such as heart and lung diseases easily manageable. Scientists so far have been able to demonstrate to the world that bothersome diseases such as diabetes and the Alzheimer’s disease are curable. Through cloning, the problem of tissue rejection will have been overcome. The problem of defective genes being passed into future offspring will be addressed. Simple biology has it that the key root to human diseases lies in the human genes, an individual has an average of 8 defective genes in his or her system.
Human cloning will provide a solution to this by eliminating the defective genes through a method of careful selection. The problems brought forth by genetic disorders such as the Down’s syndrome will be gradually eliminated. As scientists have further demonstrated, infertility will be addressed and human cloning will make it possible for infertile couples to bear children eliminating the physical and emotional pain brought forth by infertility. Scientists are also looking at the possibilities of reversing the process of aging.
One of the most prominent scientists in human cloning, Dr Richard Seed has presented the possibility of cracking “the cellular aging process” and reversing aging. (Klotzko 251) As most scientists concur, the possibilities brought forth by cloning technology to the filed of medicine are limitless. Cloning will revolutionize crop production and animal husbandry Cloning is not limited to humans. Indeed immense studies exist in plant and animal cloning as they raise fewer ethical considerations. As has been clearly demonstrated, cloning has revolutionized crop production and animal husbandry.
Cloning allows scientists to identify genes that are resistant to certain conditions and diseases and those that can lead to high productivity (Virchow & Braun 332). The modern idea of cloning and genetically modifying plants and animals to produce superior breeds lies in the age old practice where farmers combined plants to upgrade them and make them acquire certain beneficial traits. Scientists have devised ways through which they can combine bio-engineering technology and cloning to produce desired qualities in animals and plants. It is hence possible to create breeds and species that are drought and diseases resistant.
This stands to be highly beneficial to mankind in ways not imagined before. It will enhance productivity and eliminate the persistent problem of chronic food shortage (Gralla 85). Criticism to cloning Despite the immense noted benefits of cloning, it has been a source of fiery criticism. The various accomplishments made so far have been a source of immense debates and controversy. It is apparent that the possibilities are unlimited and there are those who feel that scientists are playing God. The promises to reverse the process of aging and also replicate persons are being seen as venturing into paths that are beyond humans.
There are also fears that cloning will reduce genetic variability and the process of natural evolution will be gradually eliminated. This capture and manipulation of the various nature processes will impede on the natural order of things and might result to immense medical risks and psychological problems. Conclusion Indeed, the fears expressed by those that oppose cloning are real and need to be looked into. There is evidence that some application of cloning has been unsuccessful and may have serious and fatal ramifications to humans, animals and plants.
The cloning of dolly sheep though laden with promises failed due to the death of the sheep as a result of genetic complications. The prospects of cloning and replicating humans to replace those that have died could also lead to psychological problems. However, it is important to observe that this is a venture into a virgin territory and still has to undergo a lot of research to reach perfection, it is hence crucial that it receives the publics support. The medical benefits that have been identified will alleviate the suffering of millions of people in the world.
Increased animal and crop productivity will provide food solutions to the hungry. These and many others not mentioned benefits will supersede the ethical and moral concerns that the issue of cloning has raised. Works Cited Gralla P. Complete idiot’s guide to understanding cloning. Alpha Books, 2004, 85 Klotzko A. J. The cloning sourcebook. Oxford University Press US, 2003 Lauritzen P. Cloning and the future of human embryo research. Oxford University Press US, 2001, 98 Virchow D. & Braun J. Villages in the future: crops, jobs, and livelihood. Springer, 2001, 332