MadSci Network: General Biology |
Here is a web site which lists by state the laws that are in effect regarding human cloning, http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/Genetics/rt-shcl.htm Five states prohibit cloning of human beings, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia. While it is illegal in all of these states, only Michigan has criminal penalties for cloning. The other four states have civil penalties (fines). A sixth state, Missouri, has a law which limits the use of state funds for cloning. The parent site is one entitled BIOETHICS.NET. It is the website of the journal, The American Journal of Bioethics. This site discusses many of the aspects of somatic nuclear transplantation and cloning. http://ajobonline.com/cloning.php The scientific discussions of "cloning" generally deal with somatic nuclear transplantation, not cloning of an entire human being. Somatic nuclear transplantation is the transfer of a nucleus from an adult to an anucleated (nucleus removed) egg. This procedure allows the development of embryonic cells, but does not result in a human being or even a fetus. A few groups have attempted and succeeded in cloning animals such as sheep, mice, and cats. However, in the scientific community, many question the purpose and feasibility of such endeavors. Scientists have the same concerns as the general public, and have a history of self-regulation. I hope this answers your question. I recommend that you look up other ethics/cloning websites to understand the debate and how the US and other countries are handling it. It is a very complex issue.
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