Embryo Cloning: Are You Ready?

Embryo Cloning: Are You Ready?

Imagine a world where every person looked exactly the same, did exactly the same activities, and thought exactly the same way. This world is no science-fiction thriller; this could actually be the future society. One of the most recent controversial ethical debates has to deal with human cloning and the many issues it questions. Human cloning is wrong because it can possibly lead to bodily harm to the embryo, mental harm to the cloned child, harm quality of family life, objectification of children, and societal harm to children, which are all inexcusable.

One of the first ethical concerns for human cloning is the possibility of physical harm to the embryo. As with all experiments there must be a trial and error process. The problem that arises with human cloning is that humans are the errors in the trials. Leading many people to fear the harm the embryos could experience. "Early human experiments are likely to result in a number of clinical failures and lead to miscarriage, the necessity of dozen of abortions, or births of massively deformed offspring" (McGee, par. 6). Research in other experiments using mammals has also found that clones may not show defects until later in life, and these defects may cause sudden death (McGee, par. 6). Supporters for human cloning believe with further experiments with other mammals, there could be a decrease in the chance of these deaths. Many of these same supporters also believe with human life there is a chance for human death ("n.", par. 38). However, a person can not allow humans to suffer purposely under excruciating pain, just for the possibility to benefit another person. Embryos do have the, "Possibility of injuring or killing embryos" (Robinson, par. 27).

Always on the minds of many opponents of human cloning is the issue of psychological harm for the cloned child. Most, "Opponents argue that children may suffer a diminished sense of individuality and personal autonomy" ("n." par. 39) during their lifetime. The world children live in today is very difficult anyways without the extra pressure of knowing what a complete genetic copy is already out there doing. This could prove to be especially hard for children who have twins who are geniuses, or who excel in a certain sport. A clone may feel the extra pressure to perform exactly as their genetic copy does. Although some clones may know what they are already good at, this could prove to be another difficult area if the clone does not end up being good in the area. For example, if the clone comes from a genetic donor who was excellent at baseball the clone may assume to be excellent at baseball. However, if it turns out the clone hates baseball, what does the clone do? How will the parents take such news? These questions are what concern many people with the psychological problems associated with human cloning.

A large area of concern for challengers of human cloning is the quality of family life or the possible lack of quality. Several believe cloning might give parents more of an ability to only encourage them for what they do well in, instead of the mistakes they make. Children must learn from their mistakes this is how they grow up and get life experiences. If parents are constantly encouraging them to only do the right choice, then a child or a clone may have a poorer quality of life. This does not mean that all the parents of clones would automatically expect them to perform at perfection, but there is a standard that they might expect. Plus, there is also the question of the donor sibling. Many people question how parents might treat one sibling better than the other, due to the likely hood one could out due the other. There is always the argument this can happen between any pair of siblings, but there is an added amount of pressure for genetically same siblings.

Objectification of children is another major ethical issue to rivals of human cloning. People who fear human cloning fear that by giving parents complete control of the process, there is a possibility of leading parents and even society to view children more as objects then as humans. An object is defined by how well they can serve. Many supporters of cloning argue cloning could help to produce extra parts.