Chapter 16. Cloning of Animals and Humans
- John Bryant Professor2,
- Dr Linda Baggott la Velle3,
- Revd Dr John Searle4
Published Online: 18 APR 2002
DOI: 10.1002/0470846593.ch16
Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Book Title
Bioethics for Scientists
Additional Information
How to Cite
Griffin, H. (2002) Cloning of Animals and Humans, in Bioethics for Scientists (eds J. Bryant, L. B. la Velle and J. Searle), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470846593.ch16
Editor Information
- 2
School of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- 3
Graduate School of Education, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 4
Exeter & District Hospice, Exeter, UK
Publication History
- Published Online: 18 APR 2002
- Published Print: 31 MAR 2002
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780471495321
Online ISBN: 9780470846599
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- cattle;
- clone;
- debate;
- embryo;
- ethics;
- human;
- media;
- nuclear transfer;
- sheep;
- stem cells
Summary
The birth of Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, caused extensive media and public interest and continuing debate. In the light of this debate it is necessary to clarify what the event actually implies. First, scientifically it shows that in mammals it is possible to re-set the genetic programming that occurs during development. Secondly, it facilitates the exact reproduction of valuable transgenic animals or of elite lines e.g. of cattle. The main ethical implications however – the ones that excited the public and the media – relate to possible applications in the reproduction of humans. Leaving aside the safety issues – which remain very significant – the strong consensus is that it would be unethical to deliberately create a child in someone else's genetic image. However, the use of cloning to generate stem cells to treat certain degenerative diseases is a potential application that many find acceptable.