LIFE ISSUES NO. 34-10

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

(Research Cloning/Reproductive Cloning)

Why the big fuss between research cloning and reproductive cloning?  Well now, let’s first be sure of our terminology.  So-called “reproductive cloning” would be to clone a human being and then to implant him or her in a woman’s womb for the purpose of bringing a child to term and delivering.  “Research cloning,” sometimes called “therapeutic cloning,” is the very same thing.  The only difference is that this human embryo, produced by cloning, would only be allowed to live for perhaps one or two weeks.  He or she would be experimented upon and, when this is finished, or after those stem cells are removed, they would be killed. 

Okay, that’s the difference, but the big fuss?  The big fuss is clearly the difference between allowing a living human embryo a chance to grow and live—and the opposite of this, which is direct killing of this embryo, after you have done destructive experimentation.  The difference is very clear.

Well, what’s their main argument?  The main argument of those who would support research cloning is simply to deny that this is a human life during that first week or two.  If they can pass this one off, then it’s not really killing, and therefore they claim the research will bring all kinds of benefits and should be engaged in.

Are there benefits?  There have been no beneficial results to date, but they claim there will be.  Our answer is rather simple – you cannot and should not benefit one human by killing another. 

You have other arguments against it?  Yes, you could make a law that says you have to kill a clone after you’ve done the experimentation, but there would be almost no way of enforcing it.  You see, anyone could go ahead and place a cloned embryo inside of a woman’s uterus.

But if some of these laws pass, that would be against the law.  It certainly would be, if there was a ban on reproductive cloning, and almost everyone now seems to agree that such a ban should be imposed.  But the problem is, it couldn’t be enforced.

Why not?  A clone is a clone is a clone.  However this human embryo is brought into existence, once this has happened, you have a human embryo—and there is no way to prevent a cloned human embryo from being implanted in a woman’s uterus. 

Now, in this case, since there are laws against reproductive cloning, that person has just committed a federal felony, because he did not kill a living human.  Let’s let this sink in a moment.  Our Congress and other countries are debating laws which say that unless you kill a living human at the embryo stage, this would be a federal offense, and you could go to jail.  Up until now, people have been sent to jail because they have killed a living human.  These new laws would send people to jail because they have not killed a living human. 

Let me tell you, this is really a mixed up mess.  It seems clear to me that there is only one answer and that is a total ban on human cloning.

[08/30/02]