MadSci Network: Genetics |
Scientists are like any other group when it comes to issues like this - divided. I think it is true that most knowledgable scientists have few objections to cloning animals as the ethical issues are less influential. I think it is true that all knowledgable scientists are against cloning human beings for one or both of two reasons: 1) cloning of animals is very ineffecient and it is clear that many of those born have problems. On these grounds alone, no scientist would clone a human being. 2) the ethical issues require very serious consideration. Some scientists object on these grounds, others think that it would be fine to clone human beings with appropriate safeguards. "scientists are adament about moving forward -even if that means continuing with a lack of knowledge about the entire realm of cloning." This is, of course, a Catch-22 situation. Only by moving forward, will knowledge be gained, but moving forward requires doing things without full knowledge. But this is the way human beings have always learned about the world - by going forward cautiously, gaining a little new knowledge and using that as a basis for another small foray into the unknown.
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