which countries have Banned human cloning?
There
are many countries that have decided to pass laws against human reproductive
cloning, Some of these countries include; Many countries have passed
legislation banning human reproductive cloning, including Australia, Austria,
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Denmark,
France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, the
Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa,
South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United
Kingdom. Although this may seem like a lot, these countries do not even make up
a quarter of all countries (Human Cloning Policies, Health Canada).
What is Canada's Position on Human Cloning and Stem Cell Research?
Canada has passed a bill stating that “No person shall knowingly...create a human clone by using any technique, or transplant a human clone into a human being or into any non-human life form or artificial device” (Human Cloning, Health Canada). this bill was mainly put in place because of a large concern regarding human rights and the value of natural human life. This bill also allows researchers to use embryos leftover from in vitro fertilization treatments to create stem cells. The penalties for violating the prohibition can result in a $500,000 fine, 10 years in jail, or both (Human Cloning, Health Canada).
What are Some Arguments for Human Cloning?
The main positive arguments for human cloning include; cloning human cells, tissues, and organs through therapeutic cloning has saved thousands of lives since guarantees a perfect match to prevent organ rejections. Instead of using materials that are foreign to the body such as silicone gel, doctors should soon be able to manufacture bone, fat, connective tissue, or cartilage to match the patient’s exact tissue with a much safer technology (Smith, Benefits of Human Cloning). Also there have been studies that show that cloning technologies can reverse heart attacks by simply replacing dead or damaged cells with healthy cloned heart cells without the risk of rejection within the body (Human Cloning Foundation, 153). Lastly, there is a huge pressure put on the government by scientists and the general public to legalize cloning as it is strongly believe by many that cloning technology will greatly aid the advancement of cosmetic therapy because theoretically dermatologists could manufacture bone and fat tissue that matches the clients DNA and would avoid the implantation of foreign substances such as silicon (Human Cloning Foundation, 154).
What are Some Arguments Against Human Cloning?
Human cloning is a widely opposed subject because it clashes with beliefs both religious and scientific. Although human cloning is quite tempting because of the advances it may provide in the therapeutic industry, it is feared that human clones will not have the same quality of life as regular humans because they will be expected to measure up to and have the same intellectual traits as the person they received their DNA from (Wachbroit, 145).
Another potential problem raised by human cloning is a decline in genetic diversity. if certain individuals with high desposible income decide to have themselves cloned several times instead of reproducing sexually, this would limit gene diversity. "Cloning is not only less fun than sex, it would freeze evolution and destroy our chances for survival in the future" (mautner, 141).
religious morals and beliefs often clash with the idea of human cloning because some religious individuals believe that cloning humans would rob them of their god-given individuality and dignity. Also, many religious people believe that tampering with the creation of human life in any way would be an attempt at taking gods place and is considered unacceptable.
Another potential problem raised by human cloning is a decline in genetic diversity. if certain individuals with high desposible income decide to have themselves cloned several times instead of reproducing sexually, this would limit gene diversity. "Cloning is not only less fun than sex, it would freeze evolution and destroy our chances for survival in the future" (mautner, 141).
religious morals and beliefs often clash with the idea of human cloning because some religious individuals believe that cloning humans would rob them of their god-given individuality and dignity. Also, many religious people believe that tampering with the creation of human life in any way would be an attempt at taking gods place and is considered unacceptable.