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Since the discovery of the DNA structure by Watson and Crick in 1953, the development of genetic science has progressed by leaps and bounds. While it was previously impossible to cure genetic disorders like Cystic fibrosis, people can now seek the help of cell replacement therapy to lead a normal life. It would be a matter of time before a person paralysed neck down would be able to stand up on his feet again. However with the advancement of genetic technology, the once distinct boundary between the morally right and wrong has been increasingly blurred: issues like abortion, transgenic food, and recently, therapeutic and reproductive cloning has all caused uproar among the various communities. Science has became a moral battleground as we seek to find the right balance between good and evil, tackling thorny ethical and moral issues while seeking advancements to benefit mankind.
Therapeutic cloning, commonly known as regenerative medicine, involves the use of stem cells in the treatment of a patient. Through fusing a somatic body cell with the desired characteristics with a denucleated egg cell and allowing for mitotic division, we are able to obtain a blastocyst with almost identical DNA to the original organism source. The cells obtained could then be used to replace those that has been damaged or lacking in the patients. Scientists in Seoul National University, Korea, have researched on the therapeutic effects of stem cells. They isolated adult stem cells from umbilical blood and injected to the damaged spinal cord of a paralysed victim. After repeated treatments, she is now able to walk on her own without difficulty. Such research efforts highlight an important aspect of therapeutic cloning: human stem cells can be used to cure previously incurable diseases. Moreover, since stems cells have the potential to be differentiated into basically all cell types, they offer promise in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions. Such...