is the creation of a genetically identical copy of a human. It does not usually refer to monozygotic multiple births nor the reproduction of human cells or tissue. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning - human clones in the form of identical twins are commonplace, with their cloning occurring during the natural process of reproduction. Idea of human cloning was born in the late 90s in South Korea.
The ethics of cloning is an extremely controversial issue in a lot of aspects.

"Do you think..." - Human Cloning Research in U.S.A.

According to american's research about human cloning the vast majority of Americans say human cloning cannot be justified in most situations:

Most Americans dissaprove of cloning a human being but more then half say they approve of cloning to find treatments of disease.


The Stem Cell and Human Cloning Debate from an Ethical Perspective

The legal and political issues that surround cloning

The legal situation varies between different countries. There are laws against human cloning in Spain, Germany, Canada, Denmark, England, Norway and the UK. France promises to form such a law should anyone attempt to clone a human being. Human cloning is not illegal, however, in the United States. There is currently a ban on the research that could lead to human cloning and there are to be no federal funds used for embryo research.
Federal regulations governing the use of human beings in research also apply to human cloning. It is up to the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), committees appointed by institutions (such as universities) where research is conducted, to enforce the laws against cloning. Federal Law also states that any clinics using assisted reproduction techniques must be monitored. There are also regulations on the number of manipulations made to eggs or embryos.
After the announcement of Dolly, legislation was proposed in Congress pertaining to human cloning for Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
There is also an argument by some about wrongful life. "The idea of ‘wrongful life’ is simply that an infant has been harmed and/or wronged by being brought to birth in a less than satisfactory condition or adverse circumstances. The alleged wrong can give rise to legal action for compensation.
The actions being taken to create public policy for human cloning are done with respect to the ethical issues of creating a child in this manner and to American tradition and the common good.

Religious views

Upon researching this topic, I found that most written opinion are expressed by Christian writers. This is not to say that other religions are not speaking out. In fact, in, I would like to point out that all the religions I read about were against human cloning. The only exception to the rule that we could find was the religion of Islam.

Acoording to the one of the Wikipedia's article religious views at human cloning are as follows:


Christian
Christian Roman Catholicism and many conservative Christian groups have opposed human cloning and the cloning of human embryos, since they believe that life begins at the moment of conception and soul gets into body only this way. Christian, however, feel that we have no right to play the role of God, because He is the only one Creator and act of creation depends on Him.

Islam
Cloning specific parts of the human body for purposes of medical is not prohibited in Islam, but to clone the whole human body would not be permitted under any circumstances. However, if it goes into cloning only specific parts of the human body such as heart and kidneys, for the purpose of treatment, this is permitted and actually recommended and rewarded by Allah.

Jewish
Judaism does not equate life with conception and, though some question the wisdom of cloning, Orthodox rabbis generally find no firm reason in Jewish law and ethics to object to cloning. Liberal Jewish thinkers have cautioned against cloning, among other genetic engineering efforts, though some eye the potential medical advantages.

Buddhism 
Ronald Y. Nakasone, a Buddhist priest and Professor of Buddhist Art and Culture at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California stated, "The Buddhist response to the possibility of cloning human beings is not if, but when . . . Would we accord a cloned person the benefits enjoyed by those who are born naturally? I would hope so." Buddhists even believe in the natural order of the world and to clone humans would be violating that rule.

Cloning on the News

Below I enclose links to two intresting articles I read last time about cloning and facts associated with it. Enjoy!


Should humans be cloned?

Physicians from the American Medical Association and Scientists with the American Association for the Advancement of Science have issued formal public statements advising against human reproductive cloning. The U.S. Congress has considered the passage of legislation that could ban human cloning.

Due to the inefficiency of animal cloning (only about 1 or 2 viable offspring for every 100 experiments) and the lack of understanding about reproductive cloning many scientists and physicians strongly believe that it would be unethical to attempt to clone humans. Not only do most attempts to clone mammals fail, about 30 % of clones born alive are affected with "large-offspring syndrom" and other debilitating conditions. Several cloned animals have died prematurely from infections and other complications. The same problems would be expected in human cloning. In addition, scientists do not know how cloning could impact mental development. While factors such as intellect and mood may not be as important for a cow or a mouse, they are crucial for the development of healthly humans. With so many unknows concerning reproductive cloning, the attempt to clone humans at this time is considered potentially dangerous and ethically irresponsible.

"Medical milestone"

as South Korean and U.S. researchers said finally happened in 2004, when stem cells extracted from human clone.

“Our approach opens the door for the use of these specially developed cells in transplantation medicine”
- Woo Suk Hwang of Seoul National University in Korea, who led the study, said in a statement.




Scientists cloned a human embryo and extracted from it sought-after cells called embryonic stem cells. The cloning was not intended to make human babies, but the first step toward developing cures for diabetes, Parkinson's and other diseases, the researchers said.

The experiment, the first published report of cloned human stem cells, means so-called therapeutic cloning is no longer a theory but a reality. Supporters of medical cloning say it can transform medicine, offering tailored and highly effective treatments for diseases. They say it could eventually lead to grow-your-own organ transplants.

The stem cells taken from the tiny embryos, known as blastocysts, have the potential to develop into any kind of cell or tissue in the body.

What are stem cells?



Scientists are excited about possibility of harnessing the spectacular naural power of embryonic stem cells to cure many different diseases. For example Parkinson's and Alzheimer's result from damage to particular groups of cells in the brain. By transplanting steam cells from from an embryo into the damaged part of the brain scientists hope to replace brain tissue that has been lost.
In the near future, stem cell research may revolutionise the way doctors treat many other "killer diseases" such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and even paralysis.
Because using embrions is ethically controversial scientists worldwide are hunting for other sources of stem cells. One possibility is a type of stem cell found in the bone marrow of adults. These stem cells already have a potential to "differentiate" into a variety of different blood cells throught life.
In the meantime though, stem cells from embryos are likely to provide the most immediate prospects for new treatments and cures.

How does Human Cloning work - DIAGRAM

The common method use to clon humans is somathic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This method was same as used to clone the famous Dolly the sheep. SCNT begins when doctors take the egg from a donor and remove the nucleus of the egg and creating an enucleated egg. A cell which contains DNA is taken from the person who is being cloned. The enecluated egg is then fused together with the cloning subject's cell using electricity. This creates an embryo is implanted into a surrogathe mother through in vitro fertilization (IVF). If the procedure is successfull then the surogate mother will give a birth to a baby that is the clone of the cloning subject at the end of a normal development period.

Example of Human Cloning: 


How you might be cloned?

Cloning means producing a genetically indentical copy of an individual.

This is how you might be cloned. Scientists wuld take your DNA from a skin cell, put this into a woman's egg from which the DNA has been removed. A zap of electricity would make the egg divide and after a few days you would have an embrio genetically identical to you.

There hes been a lot of talk about human cloning in the press. In fact most scientists aren't interested in producing cloned humans. What they want to do is produce cloned human cells that can be used to treat diseases.
Here is how it might work: suppose you had a disease that was slowly destroying parts of your brain. the current treatments only reduce the symptoms, whilst the disease continues to demage your brain. Cloning offers hope of accure. Scientists would produce a cloned embryo using DNA from your skin cells. Then would they take stream cells from this embryo, grow them into brain cells in the lab and then transplate them into your brain.

Cloning is a different way of using steam cells to treat disease. Some people prefere this way of obtaining steam cells. After all a cloned embrio is a genetic copy of someone who is already alive and has given their consent. Surley we all have to right to decide what we do with our own DNA?

In contrast, an embryo in the freezer of a fertility clinic has been created from a unique mix of sperm and egg - a coupling that will only ever happen once, producing a totally unique set of genes, that has the potencial to become a unique individual.

So which is the better option?

Speculations on Human Cloning

When scientists discovered stem cells, the possibility of cloning humans arose. Yet, with this, much speculations also came up.

For example, there is the speculation that mad scientists will create hordes of mindless super soldiers. Or that a madman like Hitler will be cloned to lead another Reich. Or that cloned babies would be more susceptible to diseases. Or that cloned humans won't be able to find their place in society. There are more, but we wouldn't want to dwell on mere speculations.

The fact is, stem cells have the capacity to grow into new cells that could replace bad cells that cause cancer or other diseases. Thus, maybe there is a need to allow science to continue its research into stem cells. If they are able to heal, then this would be good news for many people who are afflicted with terminal diseases. Even now stem cell therapy is being employed to do such although in an experimental basis.

Too many promising lives have been ended by disease because there has been no cure for the disease. Maybe stem cell therapy may be the answer.

Are humans next?

We've cloned sheep, mice, dogs and more. So are humans next? Bioethicists talk about the prospects of human cloning. (video provided by Discovery News)