A clone is an exact genetic replica of another being. Genes have been used in biomedical and agricultural industries for many years with no concerns over safety as they have been seen to enhance our lifestyle. Take for example the genetic modifications of cucumbers to make them straighter so they are easier to package, or the genetic research being carried out in the aim to find a cure for cancer. We are all familiar with genes in this sense.
Recent agricultural advancements, if they can be classed as that, have come about where animals have been cloned. Where a farmer has a prize bull, it is understandable that if he could duplicate that success he would. It has also been used to clone animals for eating, in 1996 we saw the introduction of Dolly to the world, the world’s first cloned sheep. This was done by using a cell nucleus from one animal, implanting it into another cell which has had the nucleus removed and stimulating growth through the use of electric shocks.
Whilst this has been done successfully with other mammals it is not widely used. It will not allow for natural selection and the evolution of the species to cope with life as it continues throughout time.
Controversy has arisen with gene cloning and humans. Is it ethical? Should we be using gene therapy to eradicate genetic mutations from our species so that as the planet gets fuller there is less strain on our health services? These are all very difficult questions to ask and even harder to answer. In the case of medical advancement and improving the quality of life for people then I think it is hard to say that genetic improvements should not be allowed.
However, where is that fine line, and should we be allowed to cross it. What if parents really wanted a girl child, is it so bad, that they genetically modify the embryo to produce a girl? What if they really wanted a blonde child, is that so wrong? Or as a race, have we gotten too clever for our own boots and are we trying to outsmart Mother Nature. Maybe we have recessive and mutated genes for a reason. Is it a method of population control? Maybe by removing one gene it will allow room for a much deadlier gene to take over.
Only time will tell whether the human gene will be modified in an ethical way.