Re: What are the pros and cons of cloning:plants/animals/and humans?

Ever since the cloning od Dolly, the topic of human cloning has reared 
itself again. Experts form around the world have offered their opinion on
the topic and its effect on humans. Firstly, before we discuss the pros 
and cons of cloning, we must understand what cloning is. A clone is a 
collection of identical organisms that are derived from a single ancestor.
Scientists have been using this process of cloning to genetically engineer 
small bits of DNA for years. However, this didn't cause any heated debates! 
Now , that the technique for cloning mammals has been elucidated, many 
problems have arisen.

PLANTS
The cloning of plants has many applications, not only to agriculture but to
medicine aswell. Herbicide resistant crops, earlier/delayed fruit ripening,
longer lasting fruit and higher yields of crops can be and have been 
achieved through cloning. However, there are always disadvantages. Mainly 
the cost and time needed for the process or consumer resistance. Another 
disadvantage is that the genetically altered offspring might not be able 
to reproduce naturally.

ANIMALS
The cloning of animals could/can:
1) improve transgenic animals for biotechnology
2) reduce numbers of animals necessary for medical studies.
3) It will be possible to create large numbers of custom-designed transgenic 
animals that secrete medically useful human proteins in their milk eg.
human clotting factor and fibrinogen.
4) Cloning can be used to create model animals for research eg. sheep designed
to replicate the effects of human cystic fibrosis

However, animal rights, health and safety concerns, cost and and technical 
barriers are all aspects that need to be taken into account.

HUMANS
1) Cloning might reveal how the environment within the cells of the early 
embryo regulates gene function.
2) Might help combat genetic diseaes by allowing researches to turn off bad
genes and turn on good genes.
3) Allow parents of a young child fatally injured to be cloned should enough
cells be recovered from the body.
4) Grow organs intended for transplant therapy.
5) Aid infertile people
6) Can assess how much environment and genetic makeup interact eg. How much
does environment play in governing intelligence.
7) Alter functions etc of proteins eg. enzymes can be developed on a large scale
with new or improved functions.

However, many people believe that cloning might change the way humans
reproduce, destroy human dignity. Others believe it is unethical and a
violation of human rights. There is also the cost and technical barriers!

I hope this helps!!!