Have you ever wondered what it would be like if humans were manufactured in factories rather than being born naturally? This thought-provoking scenario is at the heart of the debate surrounding reproductive cloning. Raising concern about individuality and humanity in a world where life is artificially created.
The Science Behind Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning involves the creation of an organism by replicating its genetic material. it is done through somatic cell nuclear transfer, which consists of replacing the chromosomes of an egg with chromosomes from the organism that is to be cloned, then a series of cell divisions lead to the formation of preimplantation embryos, which are then transferred to the uterus of another individual. The resulting individual will have the same genotype as the donor organism.
Ethical and health Implications
One of the many downsides of cloning is the ethical dilemma it presents. While it may be to attempt to “replace’ a lost loved one, this approach fails to address the natural process of grieving and healing. We deny ourselves the necessary acceptance and closure required for emotional recovery when we try to clone the deceased “ back to life”. Moreover, cloning deprives people of their innate humanity and dignity and transforms them into nothing more than replicable entities.
Moreover, Reproductive cloning is marred by its inefficiency, with a low success rate of 5%. For instance the first successful cloned sheep, Dolly was the sole survivor of 277 cloned embryos. Highlighting the rarity of successful cloning attempts with a high likelihood of resulting embryos facing health changes such as organ abnormalities and premature aging, leading to shortened lifespans and compromised well-being.
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