What Are Some Issues In Cloning?

We saw in What are the Risks of Cloning? that the success rate in cloning is quite low. Even if we can increase the odds of success, problems can arise during the clone's development, both before and after pregnancy. Despite these risks, supporters of human reproductive cloning see it as a possible solution to infertility problems. Others support therapeutic cloning to create embryonic stem cells for research and medicine.

What are the possible implications of cloning to society? All of us - researchers, policymakers and the public - have a responsibility to explore the potential effects of cloning technologies on our lives so that we can make informed decisions.

For each new application of cloning technologies, we must consider:

  • What are the benefits?
  • What are the risks?
  • Whom will the technology help? Does it have the potential to hurt anyone?
  • What does this mean for me? For my family? For others around me?
  • Why might others not share my view?
Ethical, legal and social issues.

There are several types of issues to consider as we think about cloning.

Morals Ethical issues are those that ask us to consider the potential moral outcomes of cloning technologies.


Legal Legal issues require researchers and the public to help policymakers decide whether and how cloning technologies should be regulated by the government.


Social Social issues involve the impact of cloning technologies on society as a whole.


Some questions to ponder.

The questions raised here have no clear right or wrong answer. Instead, your response will depend on your own set of values, as well as the opinions of those around you.

  • Who has the right to have children, no matter how they are created? Who doesn't? Why?
  • Is human cloning "playing with nature?" If so, how does that compare with other reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization or hormone treatments?
  • Does cloning to create stem cells, also called therapeutic cloning, justify destroying a human embryo? Why, or why not?
  • If a clone originates from an existing person, who is the parent?
  • What are some of the social challenges a cloned child might face?
  • Do the benefits of human cloning outweigh the costs of human dignity?
  • Should cloning research be regulated? How, and by whom?
NCRR/SEPA

Supported by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) [No. 1 R25 RR16291-01] from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. The contents provided here are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NCRR or NIH.
Some Definitions

eth-i-cal: (adj.) 1. Relating to morals, especially as concerning human conduct. 2. Morally correct.

le-gal: (adj.) 1. Of or based on law. 2. Appointed or required by law. 3. Permitted by law.

so-cial: (adj.) 1. Of or relating to society and its organization. 2. Concerned with the mutual relations of human beings. 3. Living in organized communities.

pol-i-cy: (n.) 1. Course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business or individual, etc.

Definitions adapted from the Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus.


Step Into Someone Else's Shoes!
shoes

Would your views be the same if you were a different person? How might they change if you...

  • had a medical condition that therapeutic cloning might someday benefit?
  • knew a family member or close friend with such a medical condition?
  • worked as a research scientist?
  • were a prominent religious leader?
  • were a policymaker, involved in making laws?

Can you think of other people who would have a special interest in cloning research? How might their views differ from yours?