Human Cloning and Genetic Engineering

Human Cloning and Genetic Engineering

The subject of human cloning is one of the most controversial subjects being debated today. It is also one of the most scientifically fascinating subjects, because it is the first to bring science and God together. Whether or not human creation belongs to the realm of God, or to the realm of science, has created a science conscience that did not previously exist in science before human cloning and genetic engineering became a reality. As a result of the science that now exists, and which makes possible genetic engineering that can alter and improve the human condition, and perhaps even more importantly, the cloning of existing human perfection, which can go beyond that perfection with additional genetic engineering, we are seeing the debate for and against human cloning and genetic engineering take on the dimensions of ethics and public policy.

In examining and analyzing this controversial debate, I will rely upon the existing body of research and work by authors on both sides of the debate. My research will be supported by the following works, which I might add to as my research progresses.

Annotated Bibliography

Cohen, Cynthia B. Renewing the Stuff of Life: Stem Cells, Ethics, and Public Policy. New York, Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.

Cohen's book is important because it provides the research paper with a succinct look at perhaps the most emotional and contentious issue in the subject of genetic engineering: stem cell research and public policy. Stem cells have been touted as the miracle cure to most of the diseases that are prolonged and debilitating. High profile figures, like former First Lady Nancy Reagan, have come out in support of stem cell research and application.

Cohen not only looks at the emotional and public side of stem cell research, but she also provides the science that is needed in this research paper as it regards stem cells. The science must be addressed from the scientific only perspective; that is, the facts of the science and using the scientific language as the basis for that discussion.

Cummings, Claire Hope. Uncertain Peril and the Future of Seeds. Boston: Beacon Press, 2009. Print.

This book will support and enhance this research paper in looking to the future of the science and genetic engineering research and application. It focuses on genetic engineering in its less controversial form, but a form that could nonetheless transfer itself to the more important issue of human cloning. Right now, genetic engineering is widely accepted in the human food supply. Cummings raises interesting questions about what that means in terms of who owns the food supply, who controls it, and how the engineering translates to trade secrets and patents. Is this what we have to be concerned about on the human side too?

This book is useful only to the extent that it provides some clarity as to how genetic engineering is already being done on human food supplies. It will be used in a limited way, and might even be replaced with a more relevant book or journal article since its contribution to the overall paper will be in a limited, yet point making way.

Friedman, Lauri S. And Marcovitz, Hal. Is Stem Cell Research Necessary? New York: Referencepoint Press, 2009. Print.

This book will help to establish the question of what benefits we are actually deriving from stem cell research. It focuses on the controversy, and provides answers to the question of whether or not stem cell research is providing the benefits in the ways in which the public believes they will soon be benefiting from the research.

The authors contend that partisan responses to the public's concerns over stem cell research are delaying the benefits of much needed treatments and cures that can be derived from stem cell research because funding is being reduced and restricted by the government.

Kass, Leon. Human Cloning and Dignity: The Report of the President's Council on Bioethics. New York: Public Affairs, 2002. Print.

Kass' book is important to this research paper because it explains the government's definition of human cloning (1), which helps shed light on the policy that has been, and will be formulated around the evolving science and application of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering can only proceed to the extent that the laws governing it allow for its application in society and medicine.

The working definition of the U.S. Government, and the one that will be employed in this research paper, is:

"The term 'human cloning' is used in this chapter to refer to all human cloning: cloning-to-produce-children and cloning-for-biomedical-research. When only one particular use of human cloning is intended, we will use the more specific term (1)."

This will be the way in which the term will be defined and used throughout the research paper here.

MacKinnon, Barbara. Human Cloning, Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Champagne: University of Illinois Press, 2001. Print.

MacKinnon's examines the subject and the controversy from a philosophical perspective. MacKinnon introduces the cloning and genetic engineering with a discussion on the first break-through case: Dolly, the sheep cloned from an adult sheep by animal researchers Ian Wilmut and Keith Campbell in July, 1996 (2). As this is the case that brought the concept of cloning out of the realm of science fiction, and forced the public to begin considering genetic engineering as a reality of life, the review of this case offered by MacKinnon is useful. No discussion on genetic engineering can be had without briefly reflecting on the case of Dolly the sheep.