Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Essay -- Science Religion Papers

Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Cloning is an exciting and ongoing field of study with many great possibilities, and negative drawbacks; this leaves many Christians wrestling with the idea of cloning, trying to decide where to stand on, for or against it. To follow, in the paper is an explanation of what cloning is and the uses of cloning at the present and projected in the future. After that the focus will be on the problems with cloning from a non-ethical stance. Finally the issue of cloning and Christian’s views on it will be addressed. What is Cloning? DNA Cloning Cloning, upon first hearing the word cloning, the thought of Dolly the sheep pops into the mind. The first and most used type of cloning though is not the type that creates animals, but rather DNA cloning. â€Å"Cloning is an umbrella term that science uses to indicate the duplication of biological material.†(Human Genome Project) Cloning is further broken down into three categories. The first is DNA cloning, which is the replication of DNA strands. DNA cloning is usually the process of getting a cell to replicate a desired gene for us. DNA cloning has been used since the 1970’s and has persisted as an effective cheap means of replicating DNA of interest in a foreign host cell. â€Å"To "clone a gene," a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same restriction enzymes.†(Human Genome Project) Plasmids are not part of the chromosome but they rep licate along with the cell when it replicates and divides. Since they are not a part of the chromosome they are easier to isolate and manipulate without affecting the cells function. â€Å"When the f... ...l D. (2002). Researchers Report First Evidence That Nuclear Transplantation (â€Å"Therapeutic Cloning†) Can Eliminate Tissue Rejection. (Advanced Cell Technologies Press Release). Retrieved November 28, 2004, from http://www.advancedcell.com/2002-06-02.htm General References Cameron, Nigel, (2003) Cloning at Christmas: a reflective commentary. The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Retrieved October 3, 2004 from: http://www.thecbc.org/redesigned/research_display.php?id=43 Ham, K., Looy, M., (2004). The scientific and Scriptural case against human cloning. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/1127cloning.asp McGee, Glenn, (2001). Primer on Ethics and Human Cloning. ActionBioscience.org. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/mcgee.html Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Essay -- Science Religion Papers Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Cloning is an exciting and ongoing field of study with many great possibilities, and negative drawbacks; this leaves many Christians wrestling with the idea of cloning, trying to decide where to stand on, for or against it. To follow, in the paper is an explanation of what cloning is and the uses of cloning at the present and projected in the future. After that the focus will be on the problems with cloning from a non-ethical stance. Finally the issue of cloning and Christian’s views on it will be addressed. What is Cloning? DNA Cloning Cloning, upon first hearing the word cloning, the thought of Dolly the sheep pops into the mind. The first and most used type of cloning though is not the type that creates animals, but rather DNA cloning. â€Å"Cloning is an umbrella term that science uses to indicate the duplication of biological material.†(Human Genome Project) Cloning is further broken down into three categories. The first is DNA cloning, which is the replication of DNA strands. DNA cloning is usually the process of getting a cell to replicate a desired gene for us. DNA cloning has been used since the 1970’s and has persisted as an effective cheap means of replicating DNA of interest in a foreign host cell. â€Å"To "clone a gene," a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same restriction enzymes.†(Human Genome Project) Plasmids are not part of the chromosome but they rep licate along with the cell when it replicates and divides. Since they are not a part of the chromosome they are easier to isolate and manipulate without affecting the cells function. â€Å"When the f... ...l D. (2002). Researchers Report First Evidence That Nuclear Transplantation (â€Å"Therapeutic Cloning†) Can Eliminate Tissue Rejection. (Advanced Cell Technologies Press Release). Retrieved November 28, 2004, from http://www.advancedcell.com/2002-06-02.htm General References Cameron, Nigel, (2003) Cloning at Christmas: a reflective commentary. The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Retrieved October 3, 2004 from: http://www.thecbc.org/redesigned/research_display.php?id=43 Ham, K., Looy, M., (2004). The scientific and Scriptural case against human cloning. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/1127cloning.asp McGee, Glenn, (2001). Primer on Ethics and Human Cloning. ActionBioscience.org. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/mcgee.html Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Essay -- Science Religion Papers Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist Cloning is an exciting and ongoing field of study with many great possibilities, and negative drawbacks; this leaves many Christians wrestling with the idea of cloning, trying to decide where to stand on, for or against it. To follow, in the paper is an explanation of what cloning is and the uses of cloning at the present and projected in the future. After that the focus will be on the problems with cloning from a non-ethical stance. Finally the issue of cloning and Christian’s views on it will be addressed. What is Cloning? DNA Cloning Cloning, upon first hearing the word cloning, the thought of Dolly the sheep pops into the mind. The first and most used type of cloning though is not the type that creates animals, but rather DNA cloning. â€Å"Cloning is an umbrella term that science uses to indicate the duplication of biological material.†(Human Genome Project) Cloning is further broken down into three categories. The first is DNA cloning, which is the replication of DNA strands. DNA cloning is usually the process of getting a cell to replicate a desired gene for us. DNA cloning has been used since the 1970’s and has persisted as an effective cheap means of replicating DNA of interest in a foreign host cell. â€Å"To "clone a gene," a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same restriction enzymes.†(Human Genome Project) Plasmids are not part of the chromosome but they rep licate along with the cell when it replicates and divides. Since they are not a part of the chromosome they are easier to isolate and manipulate without affecting the cells function. â€Å"When the f... ...l D. (2002). Researchers Report First Evidence That Nuclear Transplantation (â€Å"Therapeutic Cloning†) Can Eliminate Tissue Rejection. (Advanced Cell Technologies Press Release). Retrieved November 28, 2004, from http://www.advancedcell.com/2002-06-02.htm General References Cameron, Nigel, (2003) Cloning at Christmas: a reflective commentary. The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Retrieved October 3, 2004 from: http://www.thecbc.org/redesigned/research_display.php?id=43 Ham, K., Looy, M., (2004). The scientific and Scriptural case against human cloning. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/1127cloning.asp McGee, Glenn, (2001). Primer on Ethics and Human Cloning. ActionBioscience.org. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/mcgee.html