Free Essays,College Free Essays,Free College Essays at Anti Essays

The purpose of this assignment was to choose a contemporary ethical issue and analyse it using an agreed ethical framework, the ethical framework being Groom’s model (APPENDIX A). Groom’s model is used when discussing ethical and moral concerns. It will be used throughout this research assignment when analysing the ethical issue of human cloning. The three main authorities on cloning are Legal authority, Medical authority and Religious authority. These authorities have different attitudes, values and beliefs in relation to the subject of human cloning and will be used to shed light on the subject. It is shown by extensive research that cloning is not suitable in today’s society as there are too many ethical and moral codes attached to it. Ian Wilmut, the scientist who stunned the scientific world by leading the effort that produced Dolly the lamb, said in an interview: “To try cloning on humans today would be criminally irresponsible. The problems are far too serious.” (Palmer, P 2001, ‘Dolly’s Doctors Hit Cloning of Humans’, London Daily Telegraph) This quote, from debatably the most experienced cloner in the world, highlights the disapproval that society has of human cloning.

Specific Issue:
The issue of cloning is one that is debated around the world and has been since the cloning of dolly the lamb. Human cloning is seen as: “The process of making a genetically identical copy of a living organism.” (Author Unknown 2007, ‘Definition of Cloning’ from http://www.medterms.com) It is seen by many as an ethical issue because it means creating a child in an unnatural and unorthodox way. To have a stance on human cloning one must understand the considerations that need to be made to ensure a conclusion is arrived at, these being, technological considerations, economical considerations, social considerations and a consideration of ulterior motives. There are both positive and negative aspects to human cloning, but according to a report entitled...