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Medical Biotechnology
Published in Firdos Alam Khan, Biotechnology Fundamentals, 2020
After cloning so many species, the next big step would be cloning humans. Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing or previously existing human. There are two commonly discussed types of human cloning: therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. Therapeutic cloning involves cloning cells from an adult for use in medicine and is an active area of research, while reproductive cloning involves making cloned human beings. Such reproductive cloning has not been performed and is illegal in many countries. A third type of cloning called replacement cloning is a theoretical possibility and would be a combination of therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Replacement cloning would entail the replacement of an extensively damaged or a failed or failing body through cloning, followed by whole or partial brain transplant. The various forms of human cloning are controversial. There have been numerous demands for all progress in the human cloning field to be halted. Some people and groups oppose therapeutic cloning, but most scientific, governmental, and religious organizations oppose reproductive cloning. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and other scientific organizations have made public statements suggesting that human reproductive cloning be banned until safety issues are resolved. Serious ethical concerns have been raised by the idea that it might be possible in the future to harvest organs from clones. Some people have considered the idea of growing organs separately from a human organism. In doing this, a new organ supply could be established without the moral implications of harvesting them from humans.
Medical biotechnology
Published in Firdos Alam Khan, Biotechnology Fundamentals, 2018
After cloning so many species, the next big step would be cloning humans. Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing or previously existing human. There are two commonly discussed types of human cloning: therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. Therapeutic cloning involves cloning cells from an adult for use in medicine and is an active area of research, while reproductive cloning involves making cloned human beings. Such reproductive cloning has not been performed and is illegal in many countries. A third type of cloning called replacement cloning is a theoretical possibility and would be a combination of therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Replacement cloning would entail the replacement of an extensively damaged or a failed or failing body through cloning, followed by whole or partial brain transplant. The various forms of human cloning are controversial. There have been numerous demands for all progress in the human cloning field to be halted. Some people and groups oppose therapeutic cloning, but most scientific, governmental, and religious organizations oppose reproductive cloning. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and other scientific organizations have made public statements suggesting that human reproductive cloning be banned until safety issues are resolved. Serious ethical concerns have been raised by the idea that it might be possible in the future to harvest organs from clones. Some people have considered the idea of growing organs separately from a human organism. In doing this, a new organ supply could be established without the moral implications of harvesting them from humans.
The Problem of Technology
Published in Cameron La Follette , Chris Maser, Sustainability and the Rights of Nature, 2017
Cameron La Follette , Chris Maser
With respect to humans, the aim of cloning is to create a genetically identical copy of a particular human. The term, as it is generally used, refers to artificial human cloning, which is the artificial reproduction of human cells and tissues. It does not refer to the natural conception and delivery of identical twins, triplets, and so on.
Values and argumentation in collaborative design
Published in CoDesign, 2022
Chloé Le Bail, Michael Baker, Françoise Détienne
The concept of ‘values’ is very important in the field of argumentation studies. Here, values are situated in the distinction between two types of referents of argumentation (Golder and Coirier 1996; Schwarz and Baker 2017; Plantin 2018), 1) factual, when it is possible for one party to convince the other by means of logical argument (e.g. calculation, evidence-based reasoning); and 2) axiological (‘axia’ value – ‘logos’ discourse), when argumentation is based on ethical judgements. Debates on factual contents (knowledge) differ from debates on values. When it is possible to prove by demonstration, argumentation leads to elimination of proposals that have commonly accepted counter-arguments. When discussion involves values, participants usually retain their initial opinions and even elaborate and reinforce them, in response to critique (Baker 2009a). In fact, collective problem-solving often involves both types of content (knowledge and values), depending on the subject matter. Furthermore, studies of students’ debates on socio-scientific issues involving value systems – such as genetically-modified organisms, human cloning, etc. – are concordant in showing that opinions (almost) never change radically, i.e. from ‘for’ to ‘against’, or the converse (e.g. Simonneaux 2001; Baker 2009b; Noroozi, McAlister, and Mulder 2016). More subtle changes have been observed, however, such as participants becoming less certain, more concessive or more open to consideration of counter-arguments.
Germline Modification and Policymaking: The Relationship between Mitochondrial Replacement and Gene Editing
Published in The New Bioethics, 2018
Jessica Cussins, Leah Lowthorp
Despite the technological differences between the techniques, both Zhang and Mitalipov seem to consider NGT a technological precursor of germline gene editing. Zhang envisions that his clinic will first offer NGT for the purpose of treating age-related infertility, and subsequently offer germline gene editing as an add-on procedure. Mitalipov's work in cloning and NGT forms the foundation underlying his subsequent research on human germline editing. As Françoise Baylis (2017) has argued, NGT ‘provides scientists with “a quiet way station” in which to refine the micromanipulation techniques essential for other human germline interventions and human cloning.’33 The two technologies are bound together by the fact that they are both forms of germline modification, and explored by several of the same researchers. It is therefore important to consider the close relationship that NGT and human germline modification have had, and continue to have, over time.
The Wisdom of Germline Editing: An Ethical Analysis of the Use of CRISPR-Cas9 to Edit Human Embryos
Published in The New Bioethics, 2019
In 2005, the United Nations voted in favour of the Declaration on Human Cloning, which called upon nations to ban all forms of human cloning (United Nations 2005). Although this declaration is non-binding, no known human clone has yet been created and brought to term (United Nations 2005). Significantly, many of the arguments raised for and against human cloning resemble those associated with human germline editing (Presidential Commission on Bioethics 2002). It is therefore not unthinkable that international debate can similarly produce a ban against the use of CRISPR to edit human embryos.