Individual Summer Project Human Cloning & its ethical implication

What do you think of when you hear the word “CLONING”? One person goes in, two people come out Two people go in, four people come out Creation of an Army of Clones? Engineered to fearlessly fight to the death Clones instead of babies (reproduction option) Clones for body parts Clones that take your place and live your life A person of identical looks, abilities, feelings, memories

Why Clone at All? Medical research Medical research Pharmaceuticals Genetic Cloning Therapeutic Cloning Reproduction

What is cloning? Embryo Splitting or “ Cloning ” Embryo Splitting or “ Cloning ” Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Reproductive Cloning Reproductive Cloning Therapeutic Cloning Therapeutic Cloning

Embryo Splitting or “Cloning” Separation of human embryo into 2 parts. Separation of human embryo into 2 parts. Cells removed from fertilised ovum - have the potential to develop into a blastocyte Cells removed from fertilised ovum - have the potential to develop into a blastocyte If implanted can develop into a child. If implanted can develop into a child. Genetically identical monozygotic twins Genetically identical monozygotic twins The embryo can be spilt only a limited number of times, and a “ clone ’ is not produced. The embryo can be spilt only a limited number of times, and a “ clone ’ is not produced.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Nuclear Transfer Nuclear Transfer 1. Extract DNA from oocyte (egg) 2. Extract DNA from donor cell 3. Inject DNA into empty oocyte and fuse with electricity 4. After a few division in culture, implant in surrogate mother

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Cloning and Medicine Therapeutic Cloning Therapeutic Cloning Cloning allows for specific genetic engineering because one modified cell grows into an entire organ / organismCloning allows for specific genetic engineering because one modified cell grows into an entire organ / organism Reproductive Cloning Reproductive Cloning Cloning makes new people from an adult cellCloning makes new people from an adult cell

History of Cloning Clonaid - announced first clone baby born on December 26, 2002 – thought to be a hoax by Raelian movement Clonaid - announced first clone baby born on December 26, 2002 – thought to be a hoax by Raelian movement

Ways in which cloning may be expected to benefit mankind: Infertility treatment Infertility treatment Plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery Plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery Therapeutic Cloning Therapeutic Cloning can grow whole organs – alleviate organ shortagecan grow whole organs – alleviate organ shortage Grow non-regenerating cellsGrow non-regenerating cells Brain cells for Parkinson’s Brain cells for Parkinson’s Pancreatic islet cells for Diabetes Pancreatic islet cells for Diabetes

Drawbacks Reproductive cloning Reproductive cloning Low efficiencyLow efficiency Abnormalities riskAbnormalities risk Therapeutic Cloning Therapeutic Cloning Cloned cells may be more vigorous and therefore at greater risk of becoming cancerousCloned cells may be more vigorous and therefore at greater risk of becoming cancerous

Shorten when cell divides (except cancer cells)Shorten when cell divides (except cancer cells)

Old and New Ethical Dilemmas In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Accepted by societyAccepted by society Abortion Abortion Legal, if contestedLegal, if contested

Ethical Objections Theological Theological Playing God, Taking lifePlaying God, Taking life Technical Technical Failures and deformities – unsafe (for now)Failures and deformities – unsafe (for now) Creepy Applications Creepy Applications Parent from beyond the graveParent from beyond the grave Headless organ donorsHeadless organ donors Identity Identity Is clone a distinct person from DNA donor?Is clone a distinct person from DNA donor? Human right to a unique identityHuman right to a unique identity Treating People As ObjectsTreating People As Objects Freedom Freedom Freedom of Scientific InquiryFreedom of Scientific Inquiry

Ethical Concerns about Human Cloning Possible physical harm to embryo: Current technology is not safe enough. Additional experimentation on other mammals should be done until the margin of error is reduced to equal the current risk of miscarriage or infant death. Possible psychological harms to the child: Cloned children may suffer a diminished sense of individuality and personal autonomy. Conversely, human clones will have the advantage early in life of knowing what they are good at.

Possible degradation of the quality of life: Cloning may encourage parents to value their children according to how well they meet expectations; I.e., no unconditional love. Conversely, as the only way some infertile couples might reproduce, expectations would not be an issue. Use of scarce resources: Cloning would only benefit infertile couples. Scarce resources should fund projects that are likely to benefit the common good. Conversely, research knowledge might help discover disease cures, improve reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, etc.

Legislative: Freedom of personal autonomy, freedom of reproductive choice, and freedom of scientific inquiry should prohibit lawmakers from making such research illegal. Conversely, the government has the authority to override these rights of individuals as it has done in the past; e.g., with polygamy and abortion.