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1. What is Human Cloning?

 

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Lou Gehrig’s disease. These are a few of the incurable illnesses being researched by scientists who believe the answer to a cure lies in the stem cells of tiny, human embryos frozen in time and space. These stem cells, precious for their ability to become any tissue in the body, are accessible only by destroying the human embryo. However, studies are published frequently documenting the real potential in adult stem cells, a potential unknown just a few years ago. Therefore, America is faced with a decision: human cloning versus adult stem cell research. Below you'll find information based on science, research and biblical guidance to help you decide for yourself which avenue is best.

 

Definition of Human Cloning
Cloning is asexual reproduction in which an exact genetic copy of another plant, animal or human is made by fusing the DNA from an adult cell into a human egg from which the genetic material has been removed, causing it to divide and grow.

 

By definition of the National Academy of Sciences, a clone is an exact genetic replica of another organism. ¹

 

 

How Does Cloning Work?

 

The same procedure used to create Dolly the sheep, technically called somatic cell nuclear transfer, is the procedure used with human cloning as well. Researchers first take an egg from a female donor and empty its genetic contents by removing the nucleus. They call this enucleating the egg. Adult cells, which contain DNA, are then taken from the person who is being cloned. They can be taken from almost any place on the body, including the skin, the mouth, or even from a strand of hair. These cells are cultured and then starved of nutrients to cause them to go into a dormant stage. The enucleated egg and one of these adult cells are fused together with a jolt of electricity. This creates the cloned embryo, a human being with the same genetic makeup as the person who donated the adult cells. If the embryo is implanted into a "surrogate" woman's uterus through in vitro fertilization, we refer to it as "reproductive cloning." If successful, the surrogate mother will give birth to a clone of the cell donor.

 

Many scientists do not favor reproductive cloning at this time, but most want to be able to make human clones to “harvest” their valuable embryonic stem cells. This destroys the embryo. It is called "research" or "therapeutic" cloning, and is done with the hope that these stem cells can be used to cure various diseases.² It is important to remember that there is no technical difference between "therapeutic", or "research" cloning and reproductive cloning. In "research" cloning, the embryo is destroyed before it has the chance to grow. In reproductive cloning, the embryo is implanted with the hopes of growing into a cloned human being.

 

 

Why Clone a Human?

 

Replace a child
A genetically identical child (an identical twin) could be reproduced from the DNA of a dead child.

 

Homosexual/Lesbian Reproduction
A genetic copy of one of the couple could be created without involving the opposite sex. "It's a gay issue," explained Randolf Wicker, Director, Human Cloning Foundation, in an article in Gay Today, "because heterosexuality as a route to reproduction is now historically obsolete."³

 

Infertile Couples
Infertile couples could create a child that matches one of them identically. They wouldn’t have to use donated sperm or eggs.

 

Desired Traits
Someone with great intellect, beauty or ability could be copied for the "good of mankind." People have already purchased eggs or sperm from models and Nobel laureates.

 

Spare Organs
A group in England proposed, through genetic modifications, to create clones with only enough of a brain to sustain body functions. They believe that these "non-persons," genetic copies of individuals that need transplants, could have their organs harvested, without moral qualms.

 

Prevent Genetic Defects
A couple could clone the partner who does not carry the genetic defect causing a disease. They would still have their own child instead of adopting.

 

 

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