The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity - Cloning

In 1997 Dolly the Sheep was the first mammal ever to be cloned. Since that time, the discussion has turned towards the possibilities of cloning human beings either for research (“therapeutic”) or reproductive purposes, and even as a potential means for organ farming. Cloning is also known as “somatic cell nuclear transfer” (SCNT), the technical process by which cloning is performed. Cloning is a dominant topic under the broader category of biotechnology. Ethical issues specific to human cloning include: the safety and efficacy of the procedure, cloning for destructive embryonic stem cell research, the effects of reproductive cloning on the child/parent relationship, and the commodification of human life as a research product. SUGGESTED RESOURCES Michael Sleasman, “Bioethics Past, Present, and Future: Important Signposts in Human Dignity” (An overview of bioethics and the breadth of issues it encompasses). John Kilner, “An Overview of Human Cloning.” Dean Clancy, “To Clone or Not to Clone? Reflections from the Executive Director of the President’s Council on Bioethics.” John Kilner, “Human Cloning.” John Kilner and Robert George, “Human Cloning: What’s at Stake.” Interested in more resources on cloning? A complete listing of open access resources from CBHD on topics related to cloning is available here. Members have access to even more resources on this topic! To become a CBHD member today, click here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL ON THIS TOPIC: Position Statement Cloning Bibliography Bioethics at the Box Office -- Cloning Edition Biofiction -- Cloning Edition Primetime Bioethics -- Cloning Edition