In many controversial topics around the
world, such as abortion, gun control, legalized drugs, the death penalty,
and cloning (to name a few), we can find differing positions, and
opinions. Many of these arguments, can be narrowed down to two different
views, or constructs: individualistic and communitarian (an image of
collectivism). An individualistic viewpoint "stresses the rights of the
individual as a unique being" (class review). A communitarian viewpoint is
more concerned with the good for the greatest number, "even if an
individual must suffer or sacrifice" (class review). These different
elements do not necessarily label the people as opposed to, or in favor of
the topic here. They just show where your motivations lie, is your
involvement for self fulfillment or for the good of society? Within the
contents of this paper, I will analyze the elements of individualism and
collectivism that exist in the controversial topic of cloning.
Monument to Pope John Paul II in Poznań
English: VATICAN CITY. A meeting with Pope John Pa...
Dolly PartonWhen Dr. Ian Wilmut, a 52-year-old embryologist at the Roslin
Institute in Edinburgh announced on that he had replaced the genetic
material of sheep's egg with the DNA from an adult sheep, and created a
lamb (Dolly), the topic of cloning "created" many new questions of its
own. None were as controversial as: Will they apply this to humans as
well? According to Dr. Wilmut, the answer was "there is no reason in
principle why you couldn't do it"(clone humans), but he added, "All of us
would find that offensive."(Wilmut as quoted by NYTimes, Daniel Callahan,
02/26/97). From an individualistic viewpoint, those in
favor of cloning human beings, do not see it as morally, or ethically
wrong. Many see it as an opportunity to have children, or possibly to
"re-create" a child who is dying from a terminal illness. Using a
deterministic argument, many infertile couples are worried that any...