Cloning and the Ethics Within
DNA AND THE GENOME
Since the announcement of the discovery of the double Helix in 1953, scientists have a better understanding of human DNA, and have since theorized, and experimented with manipulating DNA. DNA is the genetic material, of cellular organisms and even most viruses. It holds the information for protein synthesis and replication. The genome (the full complement of genetic information) is like, the general instructions to life forms. DNA strands exist in the nucleus of a cell.
The shape of a DNA strand, looks like a twisted ladder... the “steps” of this ladder are made up of either,
Cytosine, and Guanine. Or Thymine and Adenine. They always come in pairs, and these are called “base pairs". They are abbreviated by “C” (Cytosine) and “G” (Guanine), or “T” (Thymine) and “A” (Adenine). The Sequence of the base pairs, make up a human being (or other life form).
Scientists are now studying, and, in a sense de-coding the code of genetics within us. It is to many people the answer to nearly every question we have about the human body. The human genome, is what makes us what we are. The human genome controls the replication of cells… it directs them, and organizes them into a certain pattern, that makes us all unique. Identical twins for example... have the same genetic code. But their experiences, and their obvious separation from each other… allows them to be different in personality.
DNA makes up even our tendency’s for diseases… It holds our body’s strengths, and weaknesses. One persons DNA strand, could indicate that they will be more prone to arthritis, and another persons DNA indicating cancer. It is the same principle, as the DNA code, indicating an individuals hair color.
This is another reason scientists are so eager to fully understand genetics. One could subtract different pieces of the genome, to take out some of the imperfections in humans, or add to the genome to perfect it. Scientists believe it is the key, to understanding disease, and curing disease.
WHAT SCIENTISTS ARE DOING
Xenotransplantation, is an idea, to genetically alter a pigs DNA by injecting human DNA into a pig embryo, to make its organs closer to human organs, so that they aren’t so easily rejected by the human immune system. This could be used as a sort of “organ harvesting”, to help in the shortage of organs.
In 1992 a biotech company in England announced the creation of “Astrid’ the world’s first transgenic pig. They are now, (since “Astrid” has reproduced) up to around 200 genetically altered pigs. This is a debated ethical topic.
Then there is cloning, or “Therapeutic Cloning”. Therapeutic cloning,
is a term given to the process of cloning a cell, and using the stem cells, to attempt to cure diseases and natural flaws in a patients genes. If they can make stem cells with the exact same DNA as the patient (with nuclear transfer), then they can
alter those genes, and put them back into the patient, supplying some people, with the bone marrow they need, or for diabetics, the insulin they need. Scientists hope to even make sick cells, so that after cloning...They can watch those stem cells, get sick... this would allow them to locate the mistake in the gene that is causing the person, to have this disease... If they know how the disease starts, they have a better chance at curing it.
THE PROCESS
The first step scientist’s use; is to take the nucleus from an egg cell. Then, they use a suction pipette to hold the cell still, and with a small glass needle, remove the nucleus.
Next they inject the nucleus from the patients cell, into the empty egg cell.
After the Nuclear transfer is completed, they use a chemical or electrical treatment to stimulate cell division. First the cell divides into two cells, then four, then eight and so on… it is now termed an “embryo”. After three and a half days after division, the proliferating cells form a structure called a blastocyst. They then break down the outer part of the blastocyst, (making it now impossible to become life) and what then remains, will then become stem cells. These stem cells, have the exact genetic make-up, as the patient.
"If you used embryonic stem cell technology, you might be able to generate embryonic
stem cells that have the same immune system as the patient. You'd have less chance of rejection, and we would hope that there'd be less death rate associated with that."
-Dr. Leonard Zon
To avoid ethical problems; scientists are trying to insert DNA into mice to shut down genes that will trigger the placenta to start constructing, and simultaneously signals the "fetus" to start developing, and it is said, once these cells start to grow, and divide...will never have the potential to become alive.
"The real question is, does it solve the ethical problem? Some people said, "Yes."
Others said, "No." It's a particularly devious way to murder an embryo.
I would argue, from the biological point of view, it is not an embryo.
It doesn’t qualify to be called this. It doesn’t have any potential whatsoever, to organize itself to a fetus.” – Rudolf Jaenisch
The problem with this, is that some people would argue, that the DNA was custom made for an individual being to become a full human.
And that it is not a piece of property to be experimented on, in the first place. This may not solve the ethical problem at all. Another argument is that we are spending too much time trying to solve the ethical problem. Others think it is worth the next ten to thirty years of learning--to avoid destroying embryos.
CLONING HUMANS
There has never been a proven incident of human cloning, however in theory one could clone a human. The process would be to place the blastocyst (after nuclear transplantation) into a woman to be carried and then born as a normal child. This was the process that created “Dolly the sheep”. Most scientists don’t dream of cloning whole humans, with personality and emotion. That is more of a fantasy among the community. Doug Melton of the Harvard Stem cell institute said;
"I don’t know any credible scientist who wants to do that, who's working on that…I think that we as a nation and as a world of community should outlaw that...there's no real reason to do that "
Some people have even thought seriously about cloning their dead loved ones, hoping this will bring them back. This is in fact very disturbing to those who are pro-cloning, as most of those people, are supporting therapeutic cloning. It is more of a science-fiction view… And some believe it can’t be done. As of right now, there is a law against cloning humans. However, that may change; and if it does, it could result in enormous controversy. Cloning is already the subject of concern for many, and as of right now, in the state of Indiana, Therapeutic and reproductive cloning, is prohibited. However, in California, therapeutic cloning, is permitted.
Letters were sent to President Bush in June 2004, urging him to “expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research.” This letter from members of the senate- stated the following: “As you know, embryonic stem cells have the potential to be used to treat and better understand deadly and disabling diseases and conditions that affect more than 100 million Americans, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and many others.”
The conclusion of the letter, appears to show their deep longing to find a cure for these diseases. “Mr. President, we know that you have been a strong supporter of medical research and share our commitment to curing disease and alleviating human suffering. We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures for which we are all hoping.”
Although the question still remains: Is it life, and if so… what are its rights?
ETHICS
"We should not as a society, grow life, to destroy it."
-President Bush.
This is the view of many republican/conservatives. The answer to the question “when does life begin?” will be the answer to the ethical problem on the subject of human cloning, and stem cell research. However, there is also the possibility of scientists ignoring a proven answer stating that this is in fact murder.
This is the on-going debate, that as a whole, does not have one specific answer, since most answers, come from personal opinion or religious belief.
"When does the human life significance begin? We know biologically it begins at conception, that’s when your life began that’s when my life began. If I kill you as an embryo; your not here today, if you kill me as an embryo and research on me; I’m not here...So we know that biologically.”
"What is a human embryo, what is a human clone? Is it a person, or is it a piece of property? And most Americans look at this and say; "life begins at conception", and if that’s so, that life...there’s a sacredness to it, and we shouldn't be violating it."
-Sam Brown back/ United States senator
Others would say that life does not begin until it has been born…this is the same concept behind abortion. An example, would be how those with this opinion warn their patients about anti-abortionists, that offer counseling. This statement was taken from the Planned Parenthood website…under the section “Patient Alert”:
“In their zeal to stop women from having abortions, anti-abortion activists have set up "counseling centers" in hundreds of communities around the country. Far from true counseling, these centers are designed to misinform and intimidate women — some will go to any lengths necessary to dissuade women from ending their pregnancies.”
That in it’s self, explains what the reality of this decision is. Another interesting fact about this, is that the entire page explains the “tactics” of anti-abortion counseling. They seem very concerned with proving their point.
Even though we cannot see the “fetus” or “embryo” walking around and speaking to us... does that mean that it is not life? Some say; “No…its not.”
"Imagine you and I are sitting in a IVF clinic with my son, and the fire alarm goes off…so now I have the choice of taking my son out of the room, or grabbing a freezer with a hundred fertilized eggs. Which would I choose? I think for me that emphasizes the difference between a real life, a person who exists, and a potential."
Doug Melton/Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
This scenario, is one that when pondered long enough, raises many questions. How many people, would even think about taking the freezer full of fertilized eggs? Most would take their child, or loved one, and may not even think about fertilized eggs.
On a poll taken on an online forum, 81% said they would take the child or loved one and leave the eggs. 18% said they would try to take both. 0% said they would take the eggs.
Cloning people may be a long way off, if never to be done, but Dr. Patrick Dixon makes a good point in saying;
“People might say that it is unlikely that this kind of technology will be used in such a way...I regard it as almost inevitable.
After all the lesson of history is this…whatever can be done, will be done somewhere at some time by someone.”
He also said; "At least a murderer knows where he or she stands.
But when it comes to human cloning most scientists are hopelessly confused. There is no global consensus at the moment there are no laws or regulations in most nations, and even in a country like the United States the situation legally is very confusing."
It is in my opinion, that cloning will never succeed fully,
to the creation of a completely sentient human being.
The human, is in a sense a machine… programmed through molecular matter that makes us what we are. God puts the person in us: Feelings, emotions, and the desire to seek out understanding of his creation. Without that, there is no person. Man will not succeed in creating what God has so carefully, and meticulously made.
Those that wish to clone humans, simply because they need the stem cells to attempt to save a life, are simply eliminating to sustain. They are killing life, to try to save what is already in existence.
Is “potential”…just potential? Or is it life?
It is a sad fact, that this question is even being asked.
OPINIONS
Here are some opinions gathered, when I asked the question to a few friends,
and through an online forum:
“It starts with a fertilized egg. They let it develop for a few days, then "harvest" the cells. The problem is that human life starts immediately during/after fertilization.
If you make a human then kill it (harvesting the cells) you are committing murder.
Those embryonic cells would become a person, with thoughts and a soul.
It is not simply a machine to toy with. It's life.” –Wesley Wright (age 16)
“I think cloning, is scary and weird…” –Alexandra Huang (age 15)
“Well, here's my view.
Cloning is trying to make a replica from what God created. Now some of you may be offended by that, but I wouldn't.
Why? Because there's no possible way we can replace God's work. While we may be able to build an advanced robot with human tissue and organs, he'll never be the same because we are built in God's image, whereas, he's built in our image. We were built from nothing, he was built from, probably, other people's tissues. We have creativity and an intelligence you can't just create, he will probably still think with AI. We have a spirit, he will never have.
All in all, as long as scientists don't try to use cloning as a reason why they don't need God, then there's nothing wrong with it to me.” -Shaun (age 15)
“I think cloning smaller parts of a person, such as vital organs is a good idea. As for cloning an entire person, I'm very opposed to the idea. I'm not worried though. The complexity of the human body is so vast, that trillions of vital functions could be missed. There is no way it could be done. Even animal cloning requires the function of a mother animal, and animals are far simpler than a human.” –anonymous
