Related Information to Human Cloning?

Human Cloning? - Page 6

:spock: Despite what we may think the world seems to 'secretly' want this sort of thing. Most futuristic shows always show a hospital or place where you can get spare 'body' parts or tissue to replace damage or old.

California Bill Would Promote Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Sacamento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- It may sound like science fiction, but it is an all-too disturbing political reality in California: a legislative move to take the West Coast state further down the troubling road of embryonic stem cell research. A bill now before the California legislature would require the state Department of Health Services to set up and maintain an anonymous registry of embryos so that scientists would have access to embryos for their research. The proposal, SB 771, is strongly opposed by pro-life groups, who describe it as a further assault on innocent human life. "It has all the earmarks of a state-run 'spare parts department' for human beings, once again holding out false hopes to those afflicted with health problems," said Camille Giglio, Director of the California Right to Life Committee (CRLC). In embryonic stem cell research, stem cells are harvested from human embryos, who are then killed.
https://www.lifenews.com/state65.html

Cloning Human

Can Bush accomplish this?

Bush Administration Pursues Total Human Cloning Ban at U.N.
New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- President Bush is vigorously pursuing a complete ban on all forms of human cloning at the United Nations. Last year, a coalition of countries led by France and Germany sought a partial ban on human cloning that would have prohibited reproductive human cloning but allowed it in research where human embryos are cloned and killed to obtain stem cells. President Bush and pro-life groups oppose such "clone and kill" proposals because the research involves the destruction of unborn children. The Bush administration led an effort against the proposal and it was postponed for one year. Now, Bush is backing a new effort sponsored by Costa Rica that would ban both forms of human cloning. It is similar to legislation proposed in Congress that enjoys the support of pro-life organizations and is backed by 40 other nations.
https://www.lifenews.com/bio52.html

Human Cloning? History & Civil Business Politics

I often wonder why they think placing a set of laws on this issue will stop anyone from carrying it out?

After Stem Cell Research Claims, Calls for Human Cloning Ban Resume
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Following claims made by a team of South Korean researchers who say they have successfully extracted stem cells from cloned human embryos, pro-life groups are stepping up the pressure on Congress to pass a complete ban on both forms of human cloning. The House of Representatives has passed a pro-life bill that would ban both human cloning for reproductive as well as research purposes. However, the Senate has been caught up in a debate between pro-life lawmakers who favor the total ban and pro-cloning lawmakers who are backing "clone and kill" legislation that would ban reproductive cloning but allow human embryos to be cloned and kill for experiments. Rep. Chris Smith ® of New Jersey said a complete ban on all forms of human cloning is needed now. He also urged the United Nations to adopt a cloning ban as well, where a resolution to craft one has been postponed for one year. "Senator Hatch and others in the U.S. Senate need to stop blocking a total ban on human cloning so we can proceed to protect the dignity of human life," Congressman Smith said.
https://www.lifenews.com/bio211.html

Page 6 Cloning Human

There are a lot of different aspects to this subject that I would like to discuss here. I want to really find out some answers to various questions. These questions cover the whole gamut of life - religion, politics, philosophy, science, and ethics.

There are two types of stem cell research - embryonic and adult. Adult stem cell research has been particularly productive already, providing powerful treatments already for such things as paralysis due to spinal cord injuries and Parkinson's disease, along with the bone marrow treatments for cancer patients. This is a proven technology, with many currently powerful results.

Embryonic stem cells require the creation and immediate destruction of embryos. Generally, a human embryo is created in a lab, and then the vital cells are removed from it and then it is destroyed.

The most hopeful line of research (in the eyes of those who place their hope in this research) lies in the idea that scientists can use this technology to "clone" a person, then use the stem cells from that cloned embryo to create specialized tissues specifically for that person. This way, an individual's heart, lungs, nerves, etc, could all be "manufactured" for that individual.

This brings up all sorts of ethical questions. For those who abhor the thought of abortion, this practice creates a problem in that embryos are given life, then destroyed. This is a form of abortion.

On the other hand, proponents of this process point out that it opens up possibilities for the healing of all sorts of maladies, and even the possiblity of regeneration of damaged organs.

But is it worth it? What are the scientific facts? What is the political ramifications of either side? Are there other aspects that need to be explored and discussed?

Message Edited! I have merged this discussion into the discussion on cloning, but I am more interested in the discussion about stem cells, specifically. I hope more people will participate. Thanks. NightHawk

Edited: Nighthawk on 21st Dec, 2004 - 12:54pm

Cloning Human

Well, I am not sure how I feel.

First, it is my understanding that many aborted fetuses from abortion clinics can be used. So, these babies have already been aborted, why not use the tissue for a good purpose rather than just disposing of it. Of course, the problem with that from a pro-life stand could be that we then become dependent upon the supply of aborted babies to treat people medically and it becomes one more reason not to make abortions illegal.

Second, just because we can do something doesn't necessarily mean we should. So, just because we can cure many terrible diseases or injuries by using stem cells, the moral questions should still be raised, in my opinion. Should we offer a cure for paralysis no matter the method? I am not sure. However, I suppose if it were me or one of my loved ones with the malady, I probably would feel differently.

These same questions were asked when organ transplants were first proposed. At that time, many considered it wrong to take an organ from one person and transplant it to another. Now, this form of treatment is pretty much routine. We don't generally hear of any complaints on moral grounds for this. Perhaps one day, this will be true of treatments created via stem cells, as well.

Human Cloning?

I have frequently heard the argument that previously aborted fetuses, as well as naturally aborted (miscarriage) fetuses can be used. However, as I have begun to study the subject, I find that in order for a line to be viable, the fetus must be no more than about 11 days along. Any older than this, and they get adult stem cells. I will try to get a link to this information later.

This is what has really gotten me thinking about this subject. In most ways, I am neutral on the subject. I don't accept the shrill screams from the right, asserting that it is all abomination, nor do I accept the smug assurances from the left that it will resolve all medical ills. I want to gather the facts, and then discuss them to figure out what some of the consequences of such research are.

Human Cloning - Page 6

Well, if this is true, then I think I would have a hard time supporting it from a moral stand. I don't think it is right to create human life with the express intent to kill it for any purpose.

Human Cloning Politics Business Civil & History - Page 6

It is the belief of many scientists today that we will be able to use adult stem cells to achieve the same results as from fetus stem cells. The process to research and use adult stem cells will take a much longer time, but there is confidence that it can be done. My opinion is that instead of trying to push for using aborted fetuses which is obviously very controversial, why not invest in researching how adult stem cells can be used. Yes, this will not help those who today have conditions that could be helped through fetus stem cell research, but some have already said that even if there was full funding for fetus stem cell research, there probably still wouldn't be a 'cure' for those who are currently ill.