Research Paper on:
Human Cloning Essay

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replication of the genetic makeup of another single individual (asexual reproduction)" (Kass, 2002, p. 171). Human cloning is the creation of a new human organism through asexual production that  has all of the genetic and developmental characteristics of a human being who is either alive currently or existed at one time (Kass, 2002). This is accomplished by introducing  a donor (human somatic cell) to an egg (oocyte) that has an inactive nucleus or it has been removed (Kass, 2002). This would then produce what is known as  a somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), which "has a human genetic constitution virtually identical to the donor of the somatic cell" (Kass, 2002, p. 171). Although human cloning is  a process that is extremely controversial because there is serious disagreement among conservatives and liberals as to whether it is an ethical practice and brings into question what qualities make  an individual human, it represents many potential benefits to humankind that simply cannot be ignored. Human Cloning Benefits and Disadvantages A major benefit of human cloning would be the  elimination of infertility that has previously been an impenetrable obstacle preventing couples from becoming parents. The human cloning of an embryo would enable prospective parents to use science to  reproduce a child of their own featuring their combined genetic characteristics. Another important benefit for couples seeking to become parents is that human cloning erases the risks of transmitting  a harmful or possibly fatal hereditary condition onto their unborn child (Brock, 2002). This would not only benefit the child, but would also spare the parents the emotional stress  and financial burdens with which parents of a child who has birth defects or a serious illness struggle (Baird, 2007). However, a major disadvantage is that providing parents with