The Ethics of Cloning

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According to Richard Dawkins “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 its own merits. We need less emotion and more thought” (Dawkins, 2011). Cloning is a general term used to describe the replication of biological material (Cloning Fact Sheet, 2009). Throughout this paper the reasoning behind why cloning is an acceptable and potentially life changing science will be examined. Along with this we will take a close look at the arguments against cloning and exploring the flaws within the argument. This will affirm that cloning is useful because it cures diseases, passes on genes, and repopulates endangered species.

In order to have a legitimate argument for the reasoning why cloning is or is not acceptable it is important first to be understand what exactly the topic is about. The first thing that must be understood is that there are actually different types of cloning that serve different purposes because each type focuses on a specific goal. The first area of cloning is DNA cloning which is the copying of genes to better understand how they work and find cures for genetic malfunctions. DNA cloning is, perhaps, the oldest of the three types of cloning with it being around since the 1970’s (Cloning Fact Sheet, 2009). This form of cloning is the most widely accepted form since it does not cross into the realm of human cloning which is one of the largest debates that exists. One of the things that DNA cloning can accomplish is curing genetic malfunctions, by placing a cloned copy of the correct gene into the body via a virus that will replicate in the body and there for take the place of the faulty genes. H...

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Cloning Fact Sheet. (2009, May 11). Retrieved 2011, from Humane Genome Project

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Dawkins, R. (2011). Richard Dawkins Quotes. Retrieved 2011, from Quote Sea:

http://www.quotesea.com/quote/cloningmaybegoodanditmaybebadprobably

Leonard, B. (n.d.). Controversial Issues in Biology Education? You Bet ! Here Are Some. 1.

Nelson, W., Rosenberg, M.-C., Weiss, J., & Goodrich, M. (2009). Journal of Healthcare

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Winstead, E. R. (2001, October 12). Endangered wild sheep clone reported to be healthy.

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