Download Cloning - Allegiance

The definition of cloning
• Cloning - A general term for the research
activity that creates a copy of some
biological entity (a gene or organism or
cell)
Cloning
The process of making a clone, a genetically
identical copy. Cloning can refer to the
technique of producing a genetically identical
copy of an organism by replacing the nucleus of
an unfertilized ovum with the nucleus of a body
cell from the organism.
History of cloning
• Cloning has been going on in the natural world for thousands of
years. A clone is simply one living thing made from another,
leading to two organisms with the same set of genes. In that
sense, identical twins are clones, because they have identical
DNA. Sometimes, plants are self-pollinated, producing seeds
and eventually more plants with the same genetic code. Some
forests are made entirely of trees originating from one single
plant; the original tree spread its roots, which later sprouted new
trees. When earthworms are cut in half, they regenerate the
missing parts of their bodies, leading to two worms with the
same set of genes. However, the ability to intentionally create a
clone in the animal kingdom by working on the cellular level is a
very recent development.
Benefits
• Gene positional cloning is a major medical advancement, not only
because of cloning, but because of the Human Genome Project as
well. The goal of this procedure is to identify human disease genes
and then clone them for further study. This is done by studying
several families who have the disorder. The gene for Huntington’s
Disease was found this way by examining a large Venezuelan family
who had many members with the disease. Scientists, after isolating
the gene, were able to test each member of the family to see if they
had the disease.
• Another benefit from modern cloning is in agriculture. Farmers and
ranchers can now have their strongest crops and animals twinned
so that they are less likely to contract diseases.
Cons of cloning
•
Cloning created identical genes. It is a process of replicating a genetic
constitution, thus hampering the diversity in genes. While lessening the
diversity in genes, we weaken our ability of adaptation. Cloning is also
detrimental to the beauty that lies in diversity.
While cloning allows man to tamper with genetics in human beings, it also
makes deliberate reproduction of undesirable traits, a probability. Cloning of
body organs might invite malpractices in society.
In cloning human organs and using them for transplant, or in cloning human
beings themselves, technical and economic barriers will have to be
considered. Will cloned organs be cost-effective? Will cloning techniques
really reach the common man?
Moreover, cloning will put human and animal rights at stake. Will cloning fit
into our ethical and moral principles? Cloning will leave man just another
man-made being. Won't it devalue mankind? Won't it undermine the value
of human life?
Cloning is equal to emulating God. Is that easy? Is that risk-free? Many are
afraid it is not!
Current Use
• Cloning is the scientific process of creating an
artificial reproduction of an existing organism,
gene or set of genes. Cloning is different from
the artificial insemination of an animal or artificial
fertilization of a plant, in that cloning does not
require sexual or asexual reproduction. The
process creates an identical copy of the gene or
organism using bacterium. There are several
types of cloning and the uses of each are cause
for controversy
Future Use
• Cloning is truly a monumental
accomplishment. But what can we do with
it? Very few see a future society of cloned
humans. Mad scientists with armies of cloned
zombies are highly improbable due to the
current cost, failure rate, and time
involved. However, there are some practical
applications currently being considered. Which
are possible and which are doomed to remain in
the realm of science fiction? Only the future will
tell.
Ethics Of Cloning
• Cloning Ethics - A Cultural Issue
Cloning ethics have recently moved to the forefront of
21st century culture. Although the medical,
philosophical, scientific and political sectors have been
active in voicing their views, it's always a good idea to
look at what the Bible says about these issues. Even
when the issues are modern, like cloning, and aren't
specifically mentioned in the Bible, we can look at
principles in the Bible and apply them to these issues
and understand how God wants us to respond.
Cloning Ethics - The Biblical Principles
In regards to cloning ethics, the Bible is clear that God is the
Author of all life. One verse in particular is applicable to the
cloning issue. In Psalm 100:3 it says, "Know that the LORD
Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we
ourselves."
The Cost Of Cloning
• Creating a cloned embryo requires
human egg cells, and egg cells aren't
cheap. In vitro fertilization clinics will
generally pay an egg donor $3,000 to
$5,000, and Advanced Cell Technology
took 71 eggs from seven women.
Our Opinion
• Our opinion on cloning is, personally we don’t care if
cloning is happening. To us, we think its really rad!
Cloning is important in our society because it brings
extra food so we wont starve. Also we clone because if
for any reason everybody died in our society except for
two of us, those people can clone themselves so our
country will not be destroyed! “ If you tell the truth you
don’t have to remember what you said”
Bibliography
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Word net web - wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Think quest http://library.thinkquest.org/20830/Frameless/Manipulating/Experimentati
on/Cloning/longdoc.htm
Think quest - http://library.thinkquest.org/28599/cloning3.htm
Buzzle - http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-cloning.html
Ehow - http://www.ehow.com/about_5559186_uses-cloning.html
Ornl http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml
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All about popular issues http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/cloning-ethics.htm
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Allegiance – allegiance54.weebly.com