Human Therapeutic Cloning Shannon Barnson & Anthony Englert

Three Types of Cloning Embryonic Embryonic –Produces identical genetic copies, i.e. “twins.” Adult DNA Adult DNA –Produces an identical genetic –copy of an existing adult animal. Therapeutic (Biomedical) Therapeutic (Biomedical) –Stem Cells come from a pre-embryo with the intent of producing tissue/organs for transplant.

Therapeutic/Biomedical Cloning The removal of stem cells from human pre-embryos with the intent of creating new, healthy tissue, not duplicate organisms. The removal of stem cells from human pre-embryos with the intent of creating new, healthy tissue, not duplicate organisms. Scientists are not copying embryos. Scientists are not copying embryos. –They take only the genetic material from a cell in an adult’s body, infuse it with an empty egg cell. The new cell can be persuaded, with the right trigger, to form any cell type.

Benefits of Therapeutic Cloning Allows the creation of perfect-matched tissue as opposed to a transplant that the body could reject. Allows the creation of perfect-matched tissue as opposed to a transplant that the body could reject. –Could greatly diminish Leukemia deaths.  Doctors have no need to dampen the patient’s immune system and there is no chance of rejection, greatly improving the recovery and treatment’s success.

Just some of the Possible Cures… Leukemia Leukemia Diabetes Diabetes Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s Heart Disease Heart Disease Spinal Cord Damage/Paralysis Spinal Cord Damage/Paralysis

Is this MURDER? A resounding NO!!!! A resounding NO!!!! –The stem cells are taken from the discarded blastocyst of invetro-fertilization that would normally be disposed of. –The blastocyst has not differentiated.  While the cells have the potential to become any type of cell, they have no identity yet; they are just blank cells. –The blastocyst has not implanted in the womb

Stem Cell Research MUST Continue Since the cells are going to be discarded and destroyed anyway, why not use them for a benevolent purpose? Since the cells are going to be discarded and destroyed anyway, why not use them for a benevolent purpose? Does protecting undifferentiated cells outweigh the tremendous possible benefits from both research and therapeutic use? Does protecting undifferentiated cells outweigh the tremendous possible benefits from both research and therapeutic use? The benefits obviously exceed any disadvantages, therefore we must support scientific and medical advancement. The benefits obviously exceed any disadvantages, therefore we must support scientific and medical advancement.