After reading the article on stem-cell research, I have to say that I disagree with it. I think the power to clone humans will bring detrimental effects. The positive side of cloning does not outweigh the negative consequences.
Just like abortion, the question is: “Are embryos living things?” If you consider embryos to be a living thing, then your answer to that question is very lucid. No, we shouldn't allow embryonic stem-cell research. But the other side of that answer is that, by not allowing stem-cell research, possible solutions to genetic diseases and illnesses may not be found. I think that, once you fertilize a human egg, it is a living thing that is on its way to becoming a newborn baby. In believing that, I don't think that it is right to kill another human life to preserve another human life. Just like I shouldn't be killed to save my friend’s life, embryos shouldn't be killed to save another's life.
Human cloning is also something that I disagree with, even though the process does not involve killing embryos. After the baby is born, that is the really worrisome and scary thing. So, hypothetically, if we achieve the process of human cloning then we can decide what we want in a baby and what we don't want. People could have the ability to create a superior race. Essentially we could have the power to create "perfect" people that would all be the same. No longer would humans be considered valuable, unique, one-of-a-kind, or irreplaceable. Humans would be disposable and replaceable. Human cloning could be a positive thing that we could swear not to abuse, but the truth is there will always be someone that could and would take advantage of the new discovery.
If the embryos could know that they were being used for the betterment of another human being, you can imagine the emotional distress. It would be incredibly hurtful and make you question your own self worth. Was I just created to help someone else? Do people love me for me, or what I do for someone else? You can imagine that, if this living embryo was able to understand what was happening to it and express how it felt, almost all of us would rethink our decision to continue stem-cell research.
In my eyes, there is a big caution sign with both human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. Humans shouldn't tamper with human life. There could be positive effects to Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem-Cell research, but at what cost?
Great points! I think a huge part of the debate is what you mentioned towards the end of your post; "if the embryo knew what was happening." People will debate until the end of time if the unborn fetus has any life/understanding. Grade: 25/25
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