Human cloning is advocated as a means to use human DNA and clone people with significant accomplishments, including sports, music, science, politics, and other fields recognized as vital. However, these ideas do not appear to have been taken seriously. Even though some people are ready to participate in such an experiment, and some specialists have publicly stated that they are willing to perform the procedure, there are still risks. Therefore, the numerous and insurmountable challenges and disadvantages of human cloning might not only pose a threat but seem horrifying. The given article, Cloning humans? Biological, ethical, and social considerations, written by Francisco J. Ayala, in 2015, uncovers the dangers of such experiments for modern society.
The author discusses the article’s successes and potential threats of human cloning. For example, according to Ayala (2015), the overwhelming majority of pregnancies of animals carrying the fetus with cloned DNA result in unplanned abortion due to health complications. As a researcher pointed out, the cloned fetus dies near term in many circumstances, with terrible financial, well-being, and psychological impact (Ayala, 2015). Moreover, another point made by the author is that cloned mammals experience severe health problems, such as “gross obesity, early death, distorted limbs, and dysfunctional immune systems and organs” (Ayala, 2015, p. 8884). In this respect, the book Frankenstein can serve as a warning about the potential consequences of medical science and its threatening objectives. When creating Frankenstein, the doctor was shocked by the result, stating: “I beheld the wretch – the miserable monster whom I had created” (Cobley et al., 2008, 28). Thus, the scientific developments’ results might differ from what was expected, leading to catastrophes that sometimes might be irreversible.
Meanwhile, human cloning might have potential benefits in a perfect world. As has been mentioned, human cloning might give humanity an opportunity of cloning the DNA of highly gifted individuals. Additionally, as expressed by Ayala (2015, p. 8882), “the biological endowment of mankind is rapidly deteriorating,” and cloning allows us to resolve such issues. Nevertheless, when thinking of Frankenstein’s story and considering the risks mentioned in the article, it is evident that such an experiment rarely results in success. The result of such an experiment might be a flawed creature. As seen in the example of Frankenstein, “breatheless horror and disgust” are followed by such an experiment (Cobley et al., 2008, 23). Unfortunately, the realization of such an enormous mistake might come when it is too late. As a result, it is unknown whether such scientific objectives can lead to chaos and even more significant issues for society.
Hence, human cloning is an incredibly enticing idea of creating an individual with the help of another human’s DNA. While there might be many advantages, including the protection of humankind’s biological endowment and cloning people of exceptional skills and knowledge, there are more risks and threats to humanity. According to the article, the most critical risks of cloning a mammal are the health complications the animal will have to endure. In this case, the animal will either die before the term or suffer from severe conditions. Nevertheless, the work Frankenstein: Graphic Novel goes further and illuminates the threats to humankind posed by such experiments. Such a scientific deed might result in a flawed creature prone to violence.
References
Ayala, F. J. (2015). Cloning humans? Biological, ethical, and social considerations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(29), 8879-8886.
Cobley, J., Shelley, M., Shalvey, D. (2008). Frankenstein: The graphic novel. Classical Comics.