Something about Biotechnology and Human Cloning

          

          

          Biotechnology is a technology based on biology, by using biotechnology harnesses cellular and bimolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help to improve our lives and health. Biotechnology not only exists in the world today, our ancestors actually knew the use of microorganisms to enhance the quality of life. For example, in 6000 B.C. when there is documented brewed beer; in 4000 B.C. Egyptians would had been produced by the fermentation method to bake bread. But enlightenment of biotechnology, generally considered to be started in the French scientist Pasteur in 1857 that he discovered the phenomenon of fermentation, and he has been called the father of biotechnology after microbes have been widely used. After 1960, microbes began to be used to produce proteins as a tool, when scientists have established genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology, then many kinds of biotech products or applications are appear such as recombinant proteins, hormones, cells hormones. Nowadays, the use of biological applications much more widespread than before. However they all based on a principle that is in order to improve our lives and health.

                                                                                   

          

         

          Now I want to focus on one of the applications of biotechnology it is called “human cloning technology.” Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of a human. Use a simple way to explain. First, take out the nucleus from ovum. Second, implant nucleus in somatic cell. Third, stimulate the changed egg nucleus, so it begins to differentiation, and then put it into womb let it developed. Finally, human clone to be born. Without doubt the genotype of human cloning, the nucleus will be provided with exactly the same man or woman. Discussion of cloning is always a controversial issue because we know cloning both has pros and cons.

          

          

          The proponents of cloning point out many advantages. They see the new cloning technology as a way to overcome infertility from acquired diseases. It can prevent genetic or hereditary diseases within their family. Also using this technology, doctors can transplant organ by creating an exact replica clone, take out the part which I need to transplant from its body. Even we can reproduce deceased loved ones. But the opponents of human cloning put forward an argument of many social, moral, and ethical have been raised in opposition to imitating a duplicate person. Based on a number of ethical considerations many countries in the world have expressly prohibited various experiments related to human cloning. According to Health Research Funding.org we discovered cloning has a possibility of faster aging, because an older cell is often being used to create a human clone, so imprinted age could be placed on the growing embryo. Another problem is it might reduce sense of individuality. Clone and real person they might have the same personality just like identical twins look alike, but also its personality might be totally the same. Furthermore it may reduce the overall value of human life. With human cloning method that human become more like a product not an individual.

         

       

          In my opinion I against biotechnology especially human cloning technology, because I think every individual is unique you only live once no matter you are healthy or unhealthy it is your real life. Recent, scientists discovered a new technology called “Embryonic stem cell”. Stem cells in cord blood are the most precious material of taking cell therapy, and it having a self-repair ability of mass production of cells and differentiated progeny. It can cure many kinds of diseases even includes cancer. We can get stem cells from the umbilical cord of infant, so a lot of Taiwanese parents save their baby’s stem cells in blood bank in order to protect, prevent and save their kids’ life from diseases or accident. Instead of killing clones’ life, using my stem cells to saving myself I think this is the best way.  Also I believe biodiversity is important to our planet and our life, biodiversity is the way to maintain the ecological balance, and we know within real natural environment no two humans are exactly alike. And my last point until now no one could have predicted “human cloning” this kind of results of technological civilization, is good or bad? Therefore, in summary I don’t want to have a cloning me.

 

 

References:

• National Science and Technology Museum  http://biotech.nstm.gov.tw/04/041.asp
• American Medical Association  http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-science/genetics-molecular-medicine/related-policy-topics/stem-cell-research/human-cloning.page
• Biotechnology Industry Organization  http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology
• Health Research Funding  http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons-human-cloning/