Controversies in Therapeutic Cloning

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
The Process
The Controversy
Conclusion
Works Cited

Abstract

Therapeutic cloning has in recent times attracted a lot of controversy in terms of its benefits and shortfalls. Production of embryos to yield stem cells that can be utilized in treatment of a variety of medical conditions is the main purpose of therapeutic cloning. However, in the process the embryonic cells get killed.

The embryonic cells have a potential to transform into any type of cell in the body and because of this, opponents of therapeutic cloning assert that the procedure equates murder. However, therapeutic cloning holds the key to treatment of a myriad of medical conditions that have no known cure currently and result in great rates of mortality and low quality of life of affected people. Therefore, the benefits of therapeutic cloning outweigh its shortcomings.

Introduction

Thesis statement

Benefits of therapeutic cloning in humans outweigh its shortcomings.

Recent advances in science have resulted in development of novel and advanced approaches in management of a myriad of medical conditions. Cloning is an example of such advances and has attracted a lot of controversy across all spheres of the society (Arsanjani 165). There are two types of cloning namely reproductive and therapeutic cloning.

Reproductive cloning creates an exact copy of individual that already exists or existed. Therapeutic cloning on the other hand entails the use of pleuripotent stem cells from an individual for medical treatments of various conditions such as diabetes, stroke and Parkinsonism.

The controversy arises due to the similarity in these two cloning methods. Therapeutic cloning is relatively a new method and has not been well studied in the human race (Aenisch 2787). The first case of therapeutic cloning was carried out in November 2001by the Advanced Cell Technology Company based in Worcester, Massachusetts, where there was a successful production of cloned human embryos (Robin 88). Therapeutic cloning is subject to yet identified risks and dangers that may arise from accidents during the process of cloning.

Therapeutic cloning employs methods such as somatic cell nuclear transfer that may result in unplanned mutations in the genetic code of the embryonic stem cells (Shoukhrat 155).

This is of concern to the opponents of the procedure. In addition, therapeutic cloning results in killing of the embryo which according to the opponents has a potential of one day developing into a fully functioning human being. Despite the fact that therapeutic cloning is perilous, and is not under full control of humans, the practice could be beneficial to human lives by offering a means of replacement of damaged or missing body parts and facilitating total remission of various chronic diseases.

The Process

Therapeutic cloning entails the utilization of embryonic stem cells for medical purposes obtained through a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer. The process entails removal of the nucleus of a somatic cell from the patient who requires the therapy. The source of the somatic cell can be the skin in the case of isogenic skin grafting (Atala and Koh 28). Thereafter, an egg cell (oocyte) is obtained and stripped off the nucleus.

The nucleus of the somatic cell is then transferred into the oocyte with the help of electric current and special chemical agents to facilitate the formation of the blastocyst. The pleuripotent embryonic stem cells are then extracted from the embryo and then allowed to grow into a perfect genetic match for the patient (Caulfield 614).

Extraction of pleuripotent embryonic stem cells results in the death of the embryo. The extracted stem cells are then nurtured to develop into specific tissues or organs. Once the desired tissue or organ is fully developed, is transplanted into body of the patient in need of the therapy (Lanza, Cibelli and West 976).

The Controversy

The embryos used in therapeutic cloning have a potential of developing into a fully functioning human being. In addition, the source of the embryos has generated a lot of debate. Human eggs from women are the main sources of the embryo, so for progression of therapeutic cloning many eggs from women are required. The process of obtaining these eggs is usually time-consuming, costly and subjects the women to trauma (Okie 2).

To successfully carry out therapeutic cloning, several attempts are made in order to obtain a perfect match. These attempts are subject to human errors and may result in far reaching consequences when an error occurs during the transfer of the pleuripotent cells into the patients.

In addition, since the technique is relatively new, the organs developed via therapeutic cloning may be subject to numerous adverse effects that may lead to loss of the organ or even loss of life. Consequently, mutations may lead to a danger to the patient if they happen in the embryonic stem cell, and may result in tumors and diseases. Therapeutic cloning is a new and complex development, and hence there may not be a suitable cure for the potential risk of a disease (Novak 100).

Even though therapeutic cloning is a relatively new method, it provides hope for many patients afflicted by a variety of medical conditions. Therapeutic cloning provides a means of preventing organ rejection, since the organs used are developed from stem cells obtained from the particular patient and as such are not viewed as foreign entities by the body’s immune system. In addition, therapeutic cloning could alleviate the serious potential life-threatening complications that occur as a result of use immunosuppressive treatments. (Wakayama 399).

There are further benefits for the patients due to the therapeutic cloning. Since the patient will be able to provide the pleuripotent cells himself, the need for a foreign organ donor is alleviated. This would allow the individual to potentially have a longer lifespan without experiencing the organ transplantation surgery and pain of recovery (Wilson 535). Therapeutic cloning may one day provide treatment for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, diabetes and even cardiovascular accidents (Dawson 90).

Conclusion

Despite the fact that embryos get killed in therapeutic cloning, the benefits accrued from this procedure are far reaching. The process will enable alleviation of medical conditions initially thought to be untreatable and enable patients afflicted by such diseases live a better life free from afflictions of these diseases.

Even though, many deficiencies need to be overcome in order for therapeutic cloning feasible, this process should be expanded as it brings about possible life-changing benefits. Furthermore, the fields of science and technology are developing and becoming more amenable and many current problems will be solved in the future. The use adult stem cells will alleviate the need of embryonic stem cells and as such decrease the reliance on these embryonic stem cells and reduce the controversy around therapeutic cloning.

Works Cited

Aenisch, Rudolf. “Human cloning: The science and ethics of nuclear transplantation.” New England Journal of Medicine 351.27 (2004): 2787–2791.

Arsanjani, Mahnoush. “Negotiating the UN Declaration on human cloning. The American Journal of International Law 100.1 (2006):164–179.

Atala, Anthony, and Chester, Koh. “Tissue engineering applications of therapeutic cloning.” Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering 6.1 (2004): 27-29.

Caulfield, Timothy. “Human cloning a decade after Dolly.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 176.5 (2008): 613-615.

Dawson, Karen. “IVF technology and the argument from potential.” Philosophy and Public Affairs 17.2 (1988): 89–90.

Lanza, Robert, Cibelli, Jose, and West, Michael. “Human therapeutic cloning.” Nature Medicine 5.9 (1999): 975–977.

Novak, Robert. “Therapeutic cloning gives silenced genes a second voice.” Nature Medicine 10.10 (2004):100-103.

Okie, Erratum. “Stem-cell research: Signposts and roadblocks.” New England Journal of Medicine 353.1 (2005): 1–5.

Robin, Lovell-Badge. “The future for stem cell research.” Nature 414.1 (2001): 88-91.

Shoukhrat, Mitalipov and Wolf Daniel. “Nuclear transfer in nonhuman primates.” Methods in Molecular Biology 348.1 (2006):151–168.

Wakayama, Timothy. “On the road to therapeutic cloning.” Nature Biotechnology 22.4 (2004): 399–400.

Wilson, Jennifer. “How cloning could change medicine.” Annals of Internal Medicine 139.6 (2003): 535-538.

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