CLONING, Allwin Mathew T.

The word cloning is used differently in various fields though the inner meaning is one and the same for everything. Generally it denotes producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals. In this sense it is used in biology, biotechnology, and digital media and so on. But the ethics of cloning is mainly applied in the field of biology. The technique of 'nuclear transfer' or 'cloning' involves removing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg (human or animal) and substituting a nucleus taken from the cell of another individual. The donor cell determines almost all of the genetic characteristics of the embryo.

            The term clone is derived from a Greek word for "trunk, branch", referring to the process whereby a new plant can be created from a twig. In horticulture, the spelling clon was used until the twentieth century; the final e came into use to indicate the vowel is a "long o" instead of a "short o". Since the term entered the popular lexicon in a more general context, the spelling clone has been used exclusively.

            Human cloning is the creation of genetically identical copy of an existing or previously existing human. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning. There are two commonly discussed types of human cloning; therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. Therapeutic cloning involves cloning adult cells for the use in medicine and is an active area of research. Reproductive cloning would involve making coined humans. A third type of cloning called replacement cloning is a theoretical possibility, and would be a combination of therapeutic and reproductive cloning. The various forms of human cloning are controversial.

            Objections to reproductive cloning are of two main kinds. First, the desire to produce a genotype of oneself, or a dead child, seems an unsatisfactory basis for child rearing. Secondly, the desire to create a clone of oneself as a bank of spare organs for possible transplant seems to be a paradigm of treating another human being solely as a means. For these reasons reproductive cloning is illegal. Reproductive cloning is considered offensive to human dignity and a threat to the well-being of the child or even to the future of humankind.

Against therapeutic cloning objections are also raised. The strongest is that cloning involves the creation and destruction of embryos, and this is widely believed to be unethical. The Catholic Church and many religious organizations oppose all forms of cloning on the grounds that life begins at conception.  

Proponents claim that human reproductive cloning would also produce benefits. Both basic research and therapeutic development for serious diseases such cancer, heart disease and diabetes are the areas, that might benefit from such a new technology. They promote that creation of a fertility treatment that allows parents who are both infertile have children with at least some of their DNA in their offspring. Although clinging may save human lives, the technique still involves the taking of an innocent life and therefore is the equivalent of killing one person to save another. The debate on the moral status of the embryo is ongoing in bioethics, philosophy and theology.