Exploring Therapeutic Cloning: A Path to Medical Advancement

Introduction

The debate surrounding human cloning is a complex and contentious one. Before taking a stance on this pivotal issue, one must consider the potential benefits and ethical implications. Imagine a loved one diagnosed with a debilitating disease like muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, or diabetes. If their condition could be treated, cured, or their life saved through stem cell research or cloning, would that change your perspective? Cloning encompasses two main categories: reproductive and therapeutic. Reproductive cloning aims to create living human beings, while therapeutic cloning focuses on producing tissue or organs for transplantation and medical treatment.

The central argument against cloning revolves around ethics. Would clones possess the same rights as their originals? Could cloning lead to a form of modern slavery? While these questions remain complex and open to interpretation, this essay advocates for the acceptance of therapeutic cloning, emphasizing that it involves the creation of essential components for healing, not human beings.

Understanding Cloning

It is crucial to differentiate between the two main types of cloning to clarify the public's perception of this issue.

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Often, cloning is erroneously associated with the creation of full-fledged human beings, a misconception that predominantly applies to reproductive cloning. In reality, medical science has not advanced to the point of creating living humans. However, substantial progress has been made in generating cells and tissue samples vital for treating various debilitating diseases.

Role of Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research plays a pivotal role in therapeutic cloning's advancement. Stem cells possess the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, in particular, offer substantial developmental potential, as they can transform into nearly every cell type. This feature makes stem cells invaluable for establishing cell lines capable of producing different cell types.

Stem cells hold the potential for replacing damaged tissues, a critical aspect of treating diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Therapeutic cloning should not be perceived as an overly complex procedure. Kevin Bonsor and Cristen Conger, in their HowStuffWorks article, describe the steps involved in therapeutic cloning. The process begins with the extraction of DNA from an individual suffering from a specific ailment. The extracted DNA is then inserted into an enucleated donor egg (an egg with the nucleus removed).

Subsequently, the egg undergoes division, similar to a typical fertilized egg, forming an embryo. Stem cells are harvested from this embryo, which can be utilized to grow various tissues or organs required for medical treatment. This process allows for the production of healthy organs to replace damaged ones and the generation of new skin for grafting onto burn victims. Furthermore, it enables the cultivation of neurons to aid patients with conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In the field, therapeutic cloning is referred to as nuclear transplantation or somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Promising Research and Its Implications

A significant milestone in therapeutic cloning research was achieved in a study conducted by Chan et al. in 2008. The study aimed to assess the potential treatment of Parkinson's disease in mice and involved the derivation of 187 nuclear transfer embryonic stem (ntES) cell lines from twenty-four parkinsonian mice. This study provides compelling evidence that therapeutic cloning holds the promise of treating Parkinson's disease. The implications of such research underscore the ethical and practical significance of continuing to explore therapeutic cloning.

Human Cost of Inaction

The human cost of inaction in the field of therapeutic cloning is starkly evident in the story of Gregg Wasson and Ann Campbell. Both accomplished individuals—Wasson a distinguished law practitioner and Campbell an author of children's books—were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, leading to the premature end of their careers. Wasson now faces the financial burden of approximately $11,000 annually on medication and the necessity of medicating every three hours. Additionally, Parkinson's medications become less effective over time, leaving him with a grim prognosis.

Enacting a ban on therapeutic cloning would condemn millions of Americans to a life defined by the financial strain of exorbitant medical expenses and the debilitating progression of incurable diseases. However, by permitting continued research into therapeutic cloning, we can envision a future where we have the potential to alleviate their suffering or even find a cure. As Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States, wisely stated, "Reproductive cloning would be a perversion of science," but therapeutic cloning holds the potential to improve or extend the lives of millions suffering from chronic or debilitating conditions.

Ethical Considerations

The opposition to cloning often hinges on the idea that humans should not have the power to create other humans. This argument does not apply to therapeutic cloning, as it focuses exclusively on the generation of essential medical components, not full-fledged human beings. Some may argue that growing human tissue is as immoral as creating entire humans, but is taking a biopsy equally as immoral as committing murder?

Moreover, concerns about violating the Nuremberg Code, which prohibits experimentation on human subjects when the outcome may result in severe pain, injury, or death, do not apply to therapeutic cloning. Cloning plants for thousands of years to produce fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants with desirable characteristics demonstrates the long history of cloning in agriculture. Therefore, the fear surrounding cloning may stem from a fear of the unknown, and society's lack of knowledge about the potential outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, therapeutic cloning represents a promising avenue for medical advancement and the treatment of debilitating diseases. The distinction between reproductive and therapeutic cloning is crucial, as therapeutic cloning focuses on producing essential components for medical treatment, not creating living human beings. Stem cell research plays a pivotal role in this field, offering the potential to replace damaged tissues and organs, revolutionizing the treatment of conditions like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.

Research, such as the study conducted by Chan et al. in 2008, provides compelling evidence of therapeutic cloning's potential to alleviate human suffering and improve lives. The human cost of inaction is starkly evident in the struggles faced by individuals like Gregg Wasson, who bear the burden of exorbitant medical expenses and the progressive deterioration of their health.

Considering the ethical considerations and the distinction between reproductive and therapeutic cloning, it is essential to support ongoing research in this field. As President Gerald Ford eloquently stated, therapeutic cloning offers limitless potential to enhance the lives of millions of individuals grappling with chronic or debilitating conditions. Embracing therapeutic cloning is a step towards a future where medical science can offer hope and healing to those in need.