Most people who object to cloning do not truly understand the process, and think of it only in terms of the cloning of a complete human being. This is far from the minds of most scientists. Cloning takes many forms, and is carried out every day in ways which are commonly acceptable. It allows scientists to develop new drugs, and to produce insulin from bacteria in the laboratory (Coalition). It allows the tracking of the origin of biological weapons, it helps to catch criminals, and it helps to free innocent people. Therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning are worlds apart scientifically. Therapeutic cloning, also known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), involves transplanting DNA from a patient into an unfertilized egg in order to grow stem cells that are then used in an effort to cure devastating diseases such as diabetes and AlzheimerÆs Disease. Reproductive cloning is the use of cloning technology to create a child. Most scientists strongly oppose this latter procedure.
SCNT holds promise for treating and curing patients by developing cells which are genetically identical to the patientÆs own cells which their body wonÆt reject (Coalition). Proof that this principle works has been published in the scientific literature in the March 2002 of Cell. When combined with stem cell research, SCNT could be used to develop innovative treatments such as replacement cells and tissues which would allow damaged organs to function again. SCNT is also integral to an understanding of how stem cells develop into the various cells and tissues of the body. SCNT would allow researchers to develop stem cell therapies specifically tailored to an individualÆs medical condition, and develop stem cells that would not be attacked by the individualÆs immune system, as can happen with transplants from other individuals. This technology would be particularly useful in the treatment of diabetes, heart disease, and spinal cord in...