THE CLONING QUESTION: Would a cloned human embryo be a human life?

Just as Dolly the sheep started out as a cloned sheep embryo and had the full genetic code of a sheep, it is a scientific fact that a cloned human embryo would have the full genetic code of a human being. This being would not have the genetic code of a dog, cat, sheep or any other species other than Homo sapiens.

The question is not:

“Would a cloned human embryo be a human life?”

The question is:

“How would we treat this human life?”

Would we treat this human life with the respect we give to a member of the human family who deserves our protection, or would we treat this developing human life as an object or a commodity to be used and destroyed for scientific experiments?

Statement From I-SIS on Cloning

The following paragraphs are excerpts from a recent statement by the Institute of Science in Society (I-SIS), an international organization of 462 scientists from 57 countries, whose avowed concern is that science be ethically and efficiently used to serve mankind’s needs. Their website is: http://www.i-sis.org.uk

“The Risks of cancer, uncontrollable growth, genome instability and other hurdles make ES [embryonic stem] cells a bad investment in terms of finance as well as health benefits.”

Adult stem cells “are more likely to generate affordable therapies that can benefit everyone.”

“…it’s far from certain that cloning can do what it’s supposed to do, i.e., avoid rejection. Yet, many in Science advocate that we travel this convoluted path when we clearly have safer, less problematic, and already proven alternatives.”

“Scientists should stop manipulating public opinion to promote research that’s both morally and scientifically indefensible. At the same time governments need to invest our tax money in scientific research that can genuinely benefit the health of the nation, and not be misled by false promises of the next economic boom.”

Other Sites About Cloning

Additional resources:

The following links will take you to articles about human cloning on the National Right to Life web site and provide you with information about cloning from other sites that are devoted to scientifically accurate information about cloning.