This is a preliminary look into the biology, technology, ethics and conscious thought involved in human cloning and genetic engineering coupled with a brief exploration of governmental policy designed to regulate its research and practice. This study reports some of the current data for and against this new bio- technology and argues an individual’s constitutional right to privacy in choosing this technology.
I am inclined to agree with Jeremy Rifkin, author of The Biotech Century who writes, “ Our way of life is likely to be transformed more fundamentally in the next few decades than in the previous thousand years.” (1) We are looking ahead to the possibility of cloning or replicating a baby, rather than reproducing one in the old-fashioned ways, growing brains in a jar and correcting genetic disorders in human fetuses. While these ideas may sound sensational and perhaps even frightening to some, they are fast becoming a part of our medical environment.
Cloning and genetic engineering dominate tomorrow’s medical environment. That is the environment into which today’s students will enter. They will inherit the responsibilities as scientists, geneticists, doctors, lawyers, politicians, theologians and educators who will decide if these technologies are ethically and morally acceptable This study will serve as a useful introduction for getting students to think about tomorrow’s issues.