Definitions
Cloning is the creation of a genetic copy of a sequence of DNA or an organism’s entire genome.
Cloning can occur naturally, as in the case of identical twins, or artificially.
Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning is the creation of a cloned embryo with the goal of bringing it to term as a live birth.
Cloning for Research and Therapy
Cloning for research and therapy is the creation of a cloned embryo for the purpose of deriving stem cells, not for the purpose of creating a baby.
Ethical Concerns About Cloning
Ian Malcolm Objections
These objections focus on the worry that cloning involves human beings overstepping proper limits.
- Cloning is humans playing at being God.
- Cloning is messing with mother nature.
- Cloning is messing with things we do not understand.
Human Dignity Objections
These objections focus on consent, family relationships, and whether cloning treats people as tools.
- Cloning makes people parents without their consent.
- Cloning alters the proper relationships between parent and child.
- Cloning treats people as a means to an end, rather than as ends in themselves.
Discussion Questions
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How much of your identity is tied up in your genetic material? If someone has the same genetic material as you, are you sharing your identity? Could you be the same person even if you had different genetic material?
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What is so bad about playing God or messing with mother nature? Does mother nature always get things correct? Can we improve upon mother nature?
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Does cloning inherently alter the relationship between “parent” and “child”? Is it possible to parent a clone in a way that leaves their future open? Is it possible to parent a non-clone in a way that leaves their future open?
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Do you own your genetic material? What would be wrong about cloning random people without their knowledge? Would this be different in any way from a man having a child without his knowledge?
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On the whole, do you think the benefits of cloning outweigh the risks of cloning?