The Ethics of Human Cloning [Hardcover]

The authors are secure enough in their opinions to welcome questions and formidable adversaries. Every issue has two sides and stubborn posturing won't make the opinions of others go away. Better to be open minded and welcome the opportunity to learn something. I've often wondered about the passionate debate biological advances have offered us. This book answers many of my questions and prompted me to learn more.

I've come to my own conclusions reading discussions in this book and sincerely believe it's a worthwhile read. I also believe more fervently than ever that factual information assuages virulent arguments.

Moral of the story? Understand the facts first - express an opinion second.

There are two types of cloning. One involves harvesting stem cells from embryos ("therapeutic cloning"). These are the biological equivalent of a template. They can develop into any kind of mature functional cell and thus help cure many degenerative and auto-immune diseases.

The other kind of cloning is much decried in popular culture - and elsewhere - as the harbinger of a Brave, New World. A nucleus from any cell of a donor is embedded in an egg whose own nucleus has been removed. The egg is then implanted in a woman's womb and a cloned baby is born nine months later. Biologically, the cloned infant is a replica of the donor.

Cloning is often confused with other advances in bio-medicine and bio-engineering - such as genetic selection. It cannot - in itself - be used to produce "perfect humans" or select sex or other traits. Hence, some of the arguments against cloning are either specious or fuelled by ignorance.

It is true, though, that cloning, used in conjunction with other bio-technologies, raises serious bio-ethical questions. Scare scenarios of humans cultivated in sinister labs as sources of spare body parts, "designer babies", "master races", or "genetic sex slaves" - formerly the preserve of B sci-fi movies - have invaded mainstream discourse.

Still, cloning touches upon Mankind's most basic fears and hopes. It invokes the most intractable ethical and moral dilemmas. As an inevitable result, the debate is often more passionate than informed. Sam Vaknin, author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited"

The many impacts of cloning should be contemplated upon openly so people can make up their minds on this touchy subject. Some of the impacts can not be thought of at this time. This book covers not only the biological impacts but many of the social impacts that could present themselves. Should we allow cloning? Limit it? Make it illegal totally? Legal for research?

This is an insightful book that covers both sides of the debate. I was surprised by some of the conclusions and not by others. I disagreed with some and agreed with others. Thought of some points and not others. This is a good start for the debate on human cloning.