Since the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1997 (although not a complete success) scientists were given extra motivation to develop the cloning phenomenon beyond the public’s expectation and into an entirely new level, this new phenomenon is known as therapeutic cloning. The "cloning debate" has now been joined by the "stem cell debate,” and it is imperative that people appreciate the difference between Adult DNA Cloning and Therapeutic Cloning.

Adult DNA cloning: (also known as somatic cell nuclear transfer) This process begins by removing an egg from a donor mother and extracting the nucleus, this creates an enucleated, essentially empty egg. Then, a somatic cell is taken from an individual to replace the existing nucleus and is electrically fused with the egg to start up its embryo making operation. (No matter how a somatic cell is obtained, it contains the DNA of the person, and thus contains al

So the embryo that provides us with stem cells is not human, but it certainly has the potential to be. Given the right circumstances, a warm environment, nutrition and oxygen flowing to it through the umbilical cord, blood from the placenta and so forth, the embryo could develop into a fully functional human being. Of course, the clone is a potential human being, but should we be upset at the death, or even the killing of a potential human being? Both the sperm and the egg contain the full genetic code for a human being. Does this mean we hold a funeral every time a woman has her period? After all, she is discharging a potential human being. What about using condoms, should we mourn the loss of millions of potential lives? Or convict the man for mass murder? Unfortunately it’s one of those things that everyone will have a differing opinion on.

It is obvious that therapeutic cloning could be a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of medicine. To ignore a practice that has the potential to save millions of lives and improve the quality of life for countless others would be an injustice in itself. Economically it is possible, medically it is possible, the only stumbling block is whether it is morally acceptable. Unfortunately it is a case of where do you draw the line, surely a 7 day old bunch of cells that doesn’t have a heart, liver, lungs, kidney, or any other internal organs, and no central nervous system can not be classed as a human being. Lets face it, if this was the case than every time a man has a wet dream or a women has her period they would be murdering potential humans. So why isn’t there an outcry every time this happens? Unfortunately it is just one of those things that people will always have a differing opinion on. Although for the people who weigh up all of the facts and the potential benefits of this revolutionary procedure they realise that it is imperative that we continue with research into therapeutic cloning as much as possible. Because it may well end up being the biggest breakthrough in medical history...

Some topics in this essay:
Therapeutic Cloning, Economic Concerns, Dr Mudge, Adult DNA, Congress Transplants, Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s, Religious Concerns, DNA Therapeutic, Paul Berg, therapeutic cloning, , stem cells, dna cloning, adult dna, potential human, adult dna cloning, stem cell, somatic cell, lungs kidney internal, scientific purposes, cloning therapeutic, central nervous system, developing embryo, cloning therapeutic cloning, kidney internal organs,