Cloning a human is a concept that has not been around all that long. Cloning is the production of a group of genetically identical cells or organisms all descended from a single individual. The members of a clone have precisely the same characteristics, except where mutation and environmentally caused developmental variation have occurred. Most clones result from asexual reproduction, a process in which a new organism develops from only one parent (Eser ). The first successful cloning of a mammal happened when scientists in London cloned the udder cell from an adult sheep and turned it into a baby lamb, named Dolly in February 27, 1997, primarily by Dr. Ian Wilmut. A consequence of using the adult sheep's genes to make an embryo is that as the animal grows older it can accumulate tiny genetic errors or mutations (Wills). The time to put a stop to this is now. Dolly moved President Clinton to create a commission that recommended a temporary ban on human cloning. The President remarks, "Any discovery that touches upon human creation is not simply a matter of scientific inquiry. It is a matter of morality and spirituality as well" (Land). The use of federal funds for research on human embryos is already prohibited, although that ban does not extend to work done in privately funded research labs. Therefore, private in vitro-fertilization clinics flourished in the 1980's with almost no federal regulation. Commission members fear that the same thing could happen with research on human cloning (Land).
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It seems that everyone is worried about the shortage of organs and some of the experts think that cloning is the answer to this huge problem. Other science experts think that they could clone a body and get the spare parts, such as the heart, lungs, and the liver and destroy the rest when they are finished. John F. Kilner, director for the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity in Bannockburn, Il.