Wall Street Hedge

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Log in
  • Home
  • Nation & Politics
  • Financial News
  • Technology & Research
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Latest News
      • Business
      • Nature
      • Science
      • World
      • VA Hospitals Are Still Under Investigation for Suspected Drug Thefts

Ethical Questions about Animal Cloning

By Leave a Comment

a close-up on the first animal cloned from an adult cell

On the 5th of July 1996, Scottish researchers from the Roslin Institute managed to clone an animal

Exactly 20 years ago, on the 5th of July 1996, Scottish researchers from the Roslin Institute in Scotland managed to clone an animal successfully for the first time. Since her first day, Dolly was destined to become the most famous sheep in the world. However, to avoid difficult ethical questions related to the public reception of this successful experiment, the team of researchers hired a public relations company to deal with any potential negative impact.

Their fear that the investigation would be accused of lack of morality made the researchers avoid the word “clone” in their entire report about the experiment. To talk about cloning, they referred to it using a more scientific terminology, such as “somatic cell nuclear transfer.” Using a body cell and an egg cell, this technology enables scientists to create a viable embryo.

Despite their precautions, the study was immediately criticized as an immoral attempt to promote human cloning. Even though the experts didn`t want people do divert the discussion from its main purpose, that of acknowledging the benefits of this discovery, most critics raised several ethical questions and warned that this discovery would pave the way to immoral human experimentations.

However, none of these grim predictions was validated by what happened afterward. Dolly showed the world that people should have no fear of scientific progress. Even though the same ethical questions are raised in regards to this practice, its benefits are no longer contested.

SCNT technologies are widely used nowadays for research purposes. Also, many speculate that cloning can be used to create tissues and organs that could save or prolong a patient`s life.

As a reproductive technique, cloning proved to imply many risks for the baby. Following several attempts, most of the babies had a high mortality rate or developed health issues and disorders throughout their lives.

Along with many other ethical questions, this continues to be one of the main reasons for which cloning in humans remains strictly forbidden. However, one of the most recent successes in SCNT research was made by Shoukhrat Mitalipov in 2013 when he managed to transfer genetic material from a non-sperm cell into an immature egg cell. This discovery could be applied for many medical purposes, and there is a growing trend in the scientific world which supports the idea that this technique is safe enough to be used in humans.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Filed Under: Technology & Research Tagged With: animal cloning, Dolly the sheep, ethical questions, Roslin Institute, SCNT, Shoukhrat Mitalipov

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 15 other subscribers

Recent Articles

AXA building in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Insurer AXA To Buy XL Group For $15 Billion

By Leave a Comment

New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

Wall Street Comes Out Intact As Global Stock Rise

By Leave a Comment

Ryanair profits are up despite threats of pilot strike.

Ryanair Profits Are Up But A New Pilot Strike May Be Around The Corner

By Leave a Comment

Bitcoin bubble may burst, analysts speculate.

Bitcoin Bubble Shows Signs Of Bursting

By Leave a Comment

One percent amassed 82 percent of the world's fortune last year.

82 Percent Of The World’s Wealth Went To The One Percent In 2017, According To Oxfam Report (Report)

By Leave a Comment

Morgan Stanley will be hit with a $1.25 billion charge as part of the new Republican tax cut.

Morgan Stanley To Be Hit With $1.25 Billion Charge From Republican Tax Reform

By Leave a Comment

General Electric Laboratory

High Demand For Renewable Forces General Electric To Slash 12 Thousand Jobs Worldwide

By Leave a Comment

Cryptocurrency bitcoin coins

Cryptocurrency Is Worth More Than JPMorgan, Bitcoin Raises Concerns

By Leave a Comment

Computer circuit board

Chipmaker Company, Marvell Technology, to Buy its Rival Cavium in $6 billion Deal

By Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Less This Year as Food Gets Cheaper

By Leave a Comment

Doctors in surgery

Vermont Is Preparing New Health Care System

By Leave a Comment

Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh

Saudi Arabia Has Just Bought Huge Stake in Uber

By Leave a Comment

No Agreement Yet on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

By Leave a Comment

Samsung Shareholders Approve Deal Which Sees Lee Family Gain More Control

By Leave a Comment

Categories

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Financial News
  • Lifestyle & Health
  • Nation & Politics
  • National News
  • Nature
  • Science
  • Technology & Research
  • World

Copyright © 2021 WallStreetHedge.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.