Therapeutic cloning forces people to choose between two potentially life-protecting principles - eradicating devastating diseases and defending human life? What does eradicating mean related to therapeutic cloning?
In the context of therapeutic cloning, eradicating refers to the goal of eliminating or completely getting rid of devastating diseases or health conditions. Therapeutic cloning is a scientific technique that involves creating embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to a patient's own cells. These cells can be used to potentially develop treatments or cures for various diseases and conditions.
The process of therapeutic cloning starts by taking an unfertilized egg and removing its nucleus. Then, the nucleus of a patient's cell is inserted into the egg, which is stimulated to divide and develop into an early-stage embryo. From this embryo, embryonic stem cells can be harvested and used for medical purposes.
The aim of therapeutic cloning is to harness the potential of these embryonic stem cells to generate replacement tissues or organs for transplantation, thereby potentially eradicating devastating diseases. By using a patient's own cells, the risk of rejection is reduced, as the cloned tissue would be genetically identical to the patient.
However, the ethical debate surrounding therapeutic cloning arises from the fact that it involves the destruction of embryos. This conflict arises from the opposing principles of eradicating diseases on one hand and defending human life on the other. Some argue that the destruction of embryos is morally unacceptable, as it is seen as taking a human life, while others argue that the potential to save lives and alleviate suffering justifies the use of therapeutic cloning.
Ultimately, the question of whether therapeutic cloning is acceptable depends on individual perspectives and values, as well as the specific laws and regulations of each country or jurisdiction.