Increased Concern over human cloning
01 May 2004
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Following the cloning of Dolly the sheep, there has been
a national debate about the subject of reproductive cloning and increased
concern surrounding the process and its implications.
Reproductive cloning is achieved by the manual evacuation of genetic
material from an egg, into which donor material is then inserted. The
egg is then stimulated by a small electrical charge which ensures cell
division and growth occur. The resultant genetic offspring will contain
the exact genetic make-up of the donor.
The process is currently illegal in the UK and has caused much fear,
criticism and debate over the last few years. The word cloning remains
highly emotive and brings with it images of rich autocrats cloning themselves
as well as issues of eugenics. It stirs up feelings that scientists
are going too far in meddling with nature or that they devalue human
life. Many religious groups also harbour specific objections because
of cloning’s dependence on human embryos.
Critics argue that cloning represents the ultimate instrumentalization
of a human being: treating one individual primarily as the means to
gratify another.
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Edward
Marsh 
