Cloning has been and continues to be researched by scientists for the possible benefits we as a society might receive from the science. There have been multiple arguments both for and against the process for plant, animal and human cloning. Through the process of cloning animals some risks have been noted and these raise concerns of potential risks if human cloning was attempted.
Facts on the Risks of Cloning Animals
The cloning of animals continues since the successful cloning of the sheep Dolly in 1996. Sheep, rabbits, cows, mice, pigs, goats and cats have been cloned both successfully and unsuccessfully since that time. Through this some risks have been uncovered.
1. Reproductive cloning is very expensive and very inefficient – Over 90% of attempts fail.
2. Cloned animals have highly compromised immune systems and infection rates are high.
3. Large offspring syndrome and other debilitating conditions affect 30% of clones born alive.
Facts on the Risks of Cloning Humans
Arguments in favor of cloning make some good points but in light of the fact that no human has been cloned it is difficult to know exactly what benefits society can achieve with the risky science. Even more so than trying to find the benefits, is it worth the risks involved to attempt to clone a human being.
4. Due to poor success rates with animal cloning lean toward poor outcomes for human cloning.
5. Since a human has never been cloned we have no known outcome on emotional and mental development or complications.
6. Based on animal cloning there is a very high risk of miscarriage, deformity or debilitating conditions and unsuccessful attempts.
7. With so many unknowns related to reproductive cloning in animals, it is considered to be very dangerous and unethical to consider human cloning.
8. The risk of abuse of the technology for cloning humans for spare body parts and research is high.
Facts on the Risks of Cloning Plants
The cloning of plants is not nearly as risky as that of animals and humans. It does have some risk involved. It is helpful to know that nature already clones itself in some plant life. The risks involved in cloning plants are risks that hopefully can be prevented.
9. There is a risk of loss of genetic variation in the future and risk of DNA diversity.
10. It is unknown if a cloned plant can reproduce naturally, without natural growth we are at risk for losing species completely.
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January 23rd, 2012 at 5:57 am
All animals looks the same anyway so there is no point in cloning them.
Also, why does this article mention sheep when they don’t exist?
January 17th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
these are some of the creepiest pictures… i wish that you showed more animals in stead… the humans could just be trplets… duhh.. and the anmilas look more like they were coned…