Human Cloning

HUMAN CLONING Every day, new scientific breakthroughs are made. In recent years, many of these breakthroughs are in the field of human genetics. Scientists are discovering more and more things about the makeup of DNA, birth defects, cancers, and new possible genetic-altering procedures such as cloning. Along with these new discoveries comes a great deal of controversy. Should humans be messing around with people’s natural genes? Should we be essentially “playing God”? These questions …

…even be worth it. Other risks include that cloned animals often tend to be larger, with enlarged organs and weak immune systems. Clones are at risk for many birth defects that could potentially effect the global gene pool. The American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs has reported that "Human cloning could irreversibly alter the gene pool and exacerbate genetic problems that arise from deleterious genetic mutations, resulting in harm to future generations."