E-Portfolio Task #4 & 5

Cloning has been around for many years. It involves the use of Nuclear transfer technology which transfers the nucleus from a diploid cell to an unfertilized oocyte where the chromosomes will be removed. In 1952, the technology was already used to develop frogs. Since then, many animals have been cloned. Two successful cases of cloning are Dolly (the sheep) and Carbon Copy (the kitten); in short “CC”. However, the main focus in cloning was not just to clone animals but to develop cloned human cells to cure diseases and illnesses for human beings. This kind of cloning is termed “Therapeutic Cloning”. Thereafter, many ethical arguments were formed to debate on the issue. Although the development of therapeutic cloning was to treat people with diseases and illnesses, people argue that it may be misused for human cloning and the experiments done were inhuman.

Opponents claim that if the research in therapeutic cloning continues to develop, it may result human being cloned. However, it is the research in medical and science that has brought us this far today. Medical breakthrough has given us a longer life expectancy and cured many illnesses and diseases. Since the technology in therapeutic cloning is still in its infant state, opponents should not halt the development of the research into the next level. Technologies are created to benefit people but it can also be misused in one way or another depending on the user. Therefore, we should not conclude that therapeutic cloning is bad.

Opponents claim that destroying human embryos during therapeutic experiments is simply destroying life. But all these researches are extremely important if we want a development in the technology. On the other hand, human embryo is not a life form of human as a whole and we have forbidden the cloning of human being. Yet, without cloning the human as a whole, we should not deduce that it is simply destroying life. Moreover, if we are talking about destroying life, then we should not even use animal for experiments. In addition, the development in the research is largely funded by the government. Therefore, if the government were to impose strict rules and regulations, the threat in cloning human being will be minimized.

In conclusion, opponents do have their claims to stop the progress of therapeutic cloning but before we could find a better way to treat the current diseases and illnesses, we should continue on the research. At the same time, clear rules and regulations can be imposed.

5 Vocabulary Words
Enucleate – to deprive of the nucleus (Biology).
Oocyte – an immature egg cell of the animal ovary; in humans, one oocyte matures during the menstrual cycle, becoming an ootid and then an ovum, while several others partially mature and then disintegrate.
Transferase – any of the class of enzymes, as the transaminases that catalyze the transfer of an organic group from one compound to another.
Rudiments – an organ or part incompletely developed in size or structure, as one in an embryonic stage, one arrested in growth, or one with no functional activity, as a vestige.
Telomerase – an enzyme, active chiefly in tumors and reproductive cells, that causes telomeres to lengthen: facilitates cell division and may account for the immortality of cancer cells.

References
Ng, S.C. (2001). Somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning) – science. Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore.

Andy Ho. (2009, January 31). Stem cells that don’t trigger rejection. The Straits Times