This is an argumentative essay discussing different views of cloning called "Cloning-Right vs. Wrong". (con)

Essay by MALA85High School, 11th gradeA, March 2003

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Cloning--Right vs. Wrong

Recently there was a major breakthrough in scientific research and that is the mapping of all DNA in a human gene. A couple of years ago this would have seemed like an impossible task for scientist to triumph over. All these breakthroughs in science lead us to believe that human cloning is not far away. Human cloning has always been an issue of controversy, whether it is referring to ethically or religiously wrong.

Taking a look at why cloning might be beneficial, among many cases, it is arguable that parents who are known to be at risk of passing a genetic defect to a child could make use of cloning. A fertilized ovum could be cloned, and the duplicate tested for the disease or disorder. If the clone was free of genetic defects, then the original ovum would be as well. The fertilized ovum would then be allowed to mature to term.

Moreover, cloning would enable infertile couples to have children of their own, rather than using the sperm of another male.

Cloning humans would also mean that organs could be cloned, so it would be a source of perfect transplant organs. This, surely, would be a big help to millions of unfortunate people that are expected to lose their lives due to failure of one or more organs. There would be no waiting for donor organs necessary, other then the time it would take to grow a replacement. Rejection of donor organs may be virtually eliminated by cloning. The cells from a portion of the organ unaffected by injury or disease could be used to make the "perfect match."

Arguments against cloning are also on a perfectly viable side. There would be large numbers of identical genes, which minimizes the chances of mutation, and, in turn...