In recent years, the topic of cloning has gained tremendous momentum due to developments in biotechnology. Cloning, the genetic replication of an organism, is a subtopic of genetic engineering—the biological alteration of an organism. While both are relatively new and unexplored areas of interest for many scientists and proponents of scientific advancement, they are rapidly advancing to revolutionize the field of science. Despite being highly contentious and often opposed, cloning offers answers to questions that society has hesitated to explore deeply in the past. Mysteries such as the root cause of cancer and the genes responsible for congenital diseases like cystic fibrosis can be unraveled through experimentation and manipulation, deepening our understanding of genes and their role.
Cloning is poised to pave the way for medical development and should be implemented for the purpose of acquiring explanations to great medical anomalies. To further the advancement of genetic engineering, scientists should deliberately produce clones of certain organisms to study the effects of controls and variables, exploring the concept of nature versus nurture. This involves deciphering the differences between genetic and environmental factors in a person’s life, providing valuable knowledge for questions such as the influence of genes on body weight and intelligence. Deliberately creating clones allows the medical community to gauge the significance of genes in the expression of traits, offering potential solutions for various problems.
Beyond genetic engineering, clones are sought out because, for each identical organism, the undifferentiated DNA can serve as the constant aspect of the experiment, while other factors like the environment can be manipulated to produce differing outcomes. This approach enhances the understanding of whether conditions being tested are truly congenital or influenced by the environment, benefiting the medical and scientific community.
Proponents of cloning research suggest that it can contribute to resurrecting species from extinction. While cloning alone may not be enough to revive an entire population, it can inform us about the characteristics, physical features, and former position of the extinct species, aiding in understanding their history and preventing future extinctions. Thus, deliberate replications of genetic code can be considered a benchmark of scientific accomplishment.
One of the end goals of cloning is to eradicate congenital diseases and abnormalities, such as sickle cell anemia. If scientists could use cloning to genetically eliminate the gene responsible for this disease, it could significantly improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
Moreover, cloning research could address the global challenge of food shortage predicted for the year 2090. By cloning essential crops, we can preserve their DNA for the future, potentially finding ways to produce more crops with less effort and resources. Cloning also offers same-sex couples a chance at reproduction, allowing both parents to pass on their genes to a biologically related child.
Despite the risks associated with cloning, its potential benefits, such as finding cures for genetic conditions, justifies the exploration of this avenue. Opponents argue that cloning is unethical and unsafe for organisms being tested, but the process involves non-harmful methods like snipping a strand of hair or collecting cells. Concerns about wrongful use, such as eugenics, are addressed by regulatory bodies, making unauthorized actions illegal.
