The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

174 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 wants to have a child, but the genetics of one partner are predisposed to diseases such as Down’s Syndrome, Tay-Sach’s disease or others, the couple may decide to undergo cloning fertilization using the DNA of the parent that is not predisposed towards such conditions. Alternatively, if a person requires transplantation of a tissue or organ as a result of a disease that is unrelated to genetics, and is unable to acquire the necessary biological material elsewhere, cloning could be a tool for their survival. For instance, a cloned embryo of this person could be produced that the desired tissue may then be removed from in order to save the patient’s life. Many scientists believe that, in addition to such aforementioned benefits, a large number of, as of yet, unimagined applications of the science of human cloning exist (Islam et al. 259). While a number of potential benefits from human cloning exist, many argue that such cloning should not be practiced based on several grounds, including many scientific and relating moral issues that arise. The majority of scientific moral arguments against human cloning arise from the disputes surrounding the manipulation of human genes and the unacceptable results that it could have upon the human species. For example, many fear that cloning experimentation could result in the human gene pool having irreversible alterations. Such alternations could prove severely negative, even resulting in much less genetic diversity, greatly affecting each generation to come. Such a mistake is viewed as morally unacceptable. Also, it is argued that human cloning could lead to eugenics and commodification experimentation. Such experiments would theoretically manipulate genetics to create people for specific purposes or “improvements” determined by man instead of the natural order. Additionally, arguments arise that combat the notion that cloning could cure infertility, stating that such explanations simply redefine fertility. An article fromThe Council for Responsible Genetics states that, “Technically, cloning is a replica of that which already exists. It is not a ‘cure’ for anything” (Kolehmainen). Thus, several scientific rationales exist that combat the idea that human cloning should be pursued. Disputes against cloning also exist in the legal realm of society. Many of these concerns largely revolve around the concept that clones may never experience equal rights to other humans. A major fear is that, if cloning would become common enough in the