Animal cloning is the process of creating an exact duplicate of a certain animal. This mean the two animals would have precisely the same DNA. Advancements in medical and science technology has made this amazing feat possible. The very first successful animal to be cloned was Dolly. She was a sheep who was made by the process of nuclear transfer from another adult sheep. This science fiction like world has opened up possibilities for all sorts of things, including human cloning, organ harvesting, and even bringing back extinct species. It has sparked heated ethical and moral debates all over the world. Should we really be cloning animals?
Pros of Animal Cloning
Superior Animals
Since cloning is creating an exact copy, scientists can pick and choose the best specimen for the process. They could choose animals that have unique characteristics, or even deformities, and create an entire new flock of superior animals.
Controlled Testing
These clones are essentially the same animals as who they where cloned from, this gives researches an incredible advantage. The clones from these animals could serve as the perfect control subject for testing, they would be able to compare results directly to how the animal is normally.
Organ Harvesting
The biggest argument that supporters of animal cloning point out is the potential to create life saving organs for humans. Cloning means an entire new body and a brand spanking new set of organs. If this was applied to humans, the problem with the organ donor waiting list could be resolved.
Preservation
Many species of animals are becoming increasingly close to extinction due to deforestation, natural selection, hunting, and poaching. Animal cloning could provide new hope for these species, creating more and more until they can sustain themselves.
Cons of Animal Cloning
Cost
As of today, the costs that are involved with the process of animal cloning are extremely high. Making use of this process for everyday things could be quite an expensive endeavor.
By-Product Safety
The meats, furs, and milks that these animals may be able to provide the population have not yet been thoroughly tested for safety. The world of cloning is still very unknown and the effects could be harmful.
Moral and Ethical Boundaries
Many people would argue that cloning is taking the role of God. It is creating a duplicate of something that there should only be one of on this earth. Questions also arise about the rights of these cloned animals, technically they don’t exist, so do they have any?
Should We Clone Animals?
Cloning has been a fantasy of science fiction books and movies for all of history, something that many people would have never dreamed of becoming a reality. While there are many questions that need to be answered before this scientific process becomes an everyday occurrence, or even branches off into the human world, no one can deny just how amazing it really is!
