CLONING+2

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==== ** "Cloning may be good and it may be bad. Probably it's a bit of both. The question must not be greeted with reflex hysteria but decided quietly, soberly and on it's own merits. We need less emotion and more thought.” ** ** --Richard Dawkins-- ** ==== //
 * What Is Cloning?** //
 * Cloning is the process of creating a genetically engineered organism that is a copy of another. These two organisms share the exact same DNA.
 * Human twins are actually the closest things we have to actual human clones.
 * Here is one example of a clone...[[image:alfredbush.jpg]]

Pros

 * Control Over Uncertainties
 * This subject is important in areas such as prize dog breeding. If two prize dogs mate and produce an offspring, there is no guarantee that the offspring will possess the best traits of both of its parents.
 * With cloning, the clone is going to have the exact genetic make-up of the original including its best traits.
 * Standardized Test Subjects
 * When testing new drugs on lab animals, the drug might affect the first subject in one way, and the second subject another way.
 * There is no way to determine if the different reactions were due to the drug or the genetic make-up of the animal subjects.
 * If cloned animals were used, the genetic make-up would become standardized and the tests would become more concise and the drug would be the only variable in the experiment.
 * New Source of Needed Organs
 * Animals may be cloned in order to harvest their organs so if the original were to ever fall ill and need a new organ, one would be available.
 * If this process were perfected, a similar process may be available for humans one day.

Cons
http://www.catalogs.com/info/gadgets/animal-cloning-pros-and-cons.html
 * Costly
 * Cloning is still a very expensive procedure.
 * Many of the cloned animals are also born with major defects and must be destroyed.
 * Safety of Food
 * The safety of meat, eggs, and milk from cloned animals has still yet to be established.
 * Even though the animals are theoretically supposed to be identical, the aforementioned defects from the cloning process may taint the quality of the food and make it inedible to humans.
 * Unresolved Ethical Issues
 * Despite all the pros of animal cloning, many are still against further developing techniques.
 * Many fear that these procedures will influence humans to follow suit and clone themselves.
 * There are both many religious and scientific groups that are against the advancement in animal cloning technology.


 * =====Breakthrough in stem cell research - these embryonic cells could be grown in order to produce new organs and tissue=====
 * =====Eliminate defective genes - if a couple wants to have a child but they do not want to pass a certain defect along to their offspring, cloning could be an option for them.[[image:human_cloning.jpg width="201" height="240" align="right"]]=====
 * =====Repair nervous system injuries=====
 * =====Create organisms with the ideal design - designer babies=====

**Cons**
[|http://www.as.wvu.edu/~kgarbutt/EvolutionPage/Studentsites/cloningpage/CONS2.html] media type="file" key="Human_Cloning__Truth_or_Science_Fiction_.asf"United Streaming - This is a video clip that deals with the idea that human cloning is no longer a fantasy. It has become a future possibility that can aid in the use of body part transplants, making sexual reproduction obsolete, and replacing loved ones.
 * Psychological Stress - it is very possible that the clone of a human being could feel like they don't belong in this world. A clone might believe that they are unable to make any choices themselves because their lives have been decided for them.
 * On a moral note, creating clones could diminish the concept of individuality and the respect for human life.
 * If science starts focusing on cloning, it could divert important resources that should actually be devoted to more pressing scientific and medical issues.
 * Cloning could be taken advantage of and it could be used by governments or other groups for immoral and exploitative purposes.

//**M**////**orals and Ethics of Human Cloning**//
 media type="file" key="The_Ethics_of_Human_Cloning.asf" (United Streaming - ethics of cloning) >> "Dr. Frankenstien" relationship = parents anonymous doners of eggs.
 * ===Individuality:===
 * Individuality is possibly the most important part of life, given to a person at birth, it is something that stays with you until the day you die.
 * Many are skeptical as to whether or not clones will be able to develop their own unique sense of individuality or if they will simply be an exact copy of the original person cloned.
 * ===Process of Evolution:===
 * Some wonder if cloning will slow or possibly stop the process of evolution. Humans have been growing and evolving over thousands of years, learning and constantly adapting to changing environments. With cloning, the cells in all humans would be the same, therefore limiting diversity and the process of natural selection.
 * ===Treatment/Emotions:===
 * One of the most common arguments regarding cloning revolves around this issue. How will clones be treated? Will they be able to live the life of a normal human being?
 * If a clone is merely created to be an organ doner, how will that effect them emotionally, knowing their sole purpose in life?
 * ===Parenting:===
 * Cloning almost makes the concept of naturally conceiving a child obsolete. But that removes the personal and romantic aspect of carrying a baby and watching it grow. Mothers and fathers may not have the same connection with a clone child as they would with a natural child.
 * ===Medical:===
 * =====Instead of organ donations and blood drives, eventually they hope to be able to clone just the organ, without having to clone an entire human being.=====
 * =====However, finding the ideal person to clone is hard enough, let alone getting one with the right blood type, size, and gender. It seems scientists would have to clone someone for each person, so would the clones be stored somewhere, or able to roam around the world until they were needed to fill their role?=====
 * ===Is it Worth it?===
 * =====According to Time Magazine, out of 277 tries, the researchers eventually produced only 29 embryos that survived longer than six days. Out of the remaining 29, only one survived and was born.=====

//How is cloning justified?//

 * Many people justify cloning as an eventual way to cure inheritable diseases/disorders such as: brain disorders, diabetes, spinal cord damage, autoimmune disorders, and various cancers.
 * Clones could be used as organ donors, to guarantee an ill patient a "perfect" match.
 * Misc: This topic is the premise in Michael Bay's 2005 sci-fi film; //The Island//, where as wealthy people create clones to act as donors when they fall ill.
 * 
 * 
 * 

**//W //****//here are we now in the process of cloning? //**
[|Ebsco Link]
 * Recently healthy mice were cloned using the dead brain cells of mice that had been frozen over 16 years ago.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">How is this modern technique done?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A nucleus of the thawed mice cell is injected into a mice egg which is lacking a nucleus. The egg "regenerates" the nucleus, making it capable of reproducing every type of cell for the mice embryo. The eggs are then inserted into a female mouse's womb,
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Benefits of this recent advance:
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Scientists suggest that human clones can be created in this way in the future
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Boost the populations of endangered species

<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(61, 104, 255);">HELPFUL LINKS
==[|Game: Haven't you always wanted to clone a mouse? Well here's your chance][|Game: Is it cloning or not??][| Article: Human Cloning Should Be Banned]==

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