NEW revision notes for RS ethics - GENETIC ENGINEERING (cloning)

So here we go... GENETIC ENGINEERING! Aaaahh. I'm going to try and make it really easy as I find it really hard to understand so I hope you understand me

GENETIC ENGINEERING

CLONING is the scientific method by which animals or plants can be created which have exactly the same genetic make-up as the original, because the DNA of the original is used.

Cloning is split into two types:

Embryonic stem cell cloning is cloning that uses foetus cells

Somatic cell cloning is cloning that that uses adult cells



EMBRYONIC STEM CELL CLONING

Ok... So now embryonic stem cell cloning is split into two types:

Reproductive cloning is the use of cloning techniques to produce an identical baby.

Therapeutic (stem cell) cloning is the use of cloning techniques to produce tissue cultures for research on within 14 days

REMEMBER THESE BOTH USE FOETUS CELLS

Christian responses to embryonic stem cell cloning

AGAINST

• Involves destruction of an embryo
• It destroys one human life to create another
• Babies should be created out of love, not cloning techniques with scientists involved
• Children have the right to two biological parents
• Could lead to the creation of a master race with the rich being able to clone and the poor not

FOR (only for therapeutic cloning that researches the tissue culture)

• Possible cures could be derived from the research
• They believe the foetus should be treated with respect but it is not equal to a person

SOMATIC CELL CLONING

Somatic cell cloning is also known as gene therapy and uses  adult stem cells (such as bone marrow) and can be used to treat diseases, such as faulty organs. Many Christians are in favour of using this technology to correct problems in nature by healing the sick.

IT DOES NOT INVOLVE KILLING A FOETUS - IT ONLY USES ADULT CELLS