Human Cloning: Cloning of Human Organs for Transplantology
Part 1 Topic Proposal
The topic is “Human Cloning: Cloning of Human Organs for Transplantology.” This topic is interesting because it can advance the development of genetic engineering and medicine, as well as other spheres of science. At the same time, the theme of human cloning is controversial since it has both opponents and associates. Some people believe that cloning of human organs might save many lives while the others think cloning is unethical. Although the topic is not knew, it is still debatable and unsolved, which makes it an attractive theme for further research.
The main groups of people who specifically care about this problem are biologists and genetic engineers. Thus, Robert Briggs and Thomas J. King were the first scientists who conducted animal cloning “by using nuclear transfer of embryonic cells of frogs” in 1952 (Mandrich, 2013, p. 1). In ten years, John Gurdon “had cloned South African frogs using the nucleus of fully differentiated adult intestinal cells” (Mandrich, 2013, p. 1). Today, animal cloning became an easy process, and cloned animals can live and even produce offspring. Due to such commendable results, scientists raise a question about human cloning and cloning of human organs.
If human cloning were allowed, many people would benefit. For instance, those individuals who have some health problems or need a transplant might be saved with the help of a cloned organ. Those who want to have a healthy child would “reproduce their offspring through human cloning technology” (Shih, 2010, p. 47). Transplantologists and gene engineers would benefit most since they would have many patients while the patients would benefit because their lives would be improved or even saved. However, if allowed, human organs cloning might have negative consequences too. For instance, wealthy individuals or those who are interested in organ market might sell cloned organs or even clone themselves and stay young and healthy forever. Besides, the dictators might use cloning for eugenics, or cloning people with the most “proper genetic make-up” (Shih, 2010, p. 56). Therefore, if the problem remains unsolved, many people may suffer and even die because of the absence of organ donors. On the other hand, if cloning is allowed, the other social and ethical problems can occur, and it will lead to unexpected outcomes.
For me as a computer engineer, the subject of cloning is interesting because it will advance genetic engineering in general and computer engineering in particular. In the modern world, almost all issues are being solved with the help of computer technologies, and cloning is one of such issues. On the other hand, I am interested in the topic because it gives hope for better future for those who suffer from different health problems. Many children are born with defects; some of them have no legs or arms; the others have heart or kidney problems. Human organs cloning might save all these people from suffering and allow them to live worthy lives.
In addition, …
