Cloning

the word clone has been applied to cells as well as organisms, so that a group of stem cells stemming from a single cells is also called a clone. Usually the members of a clone are identical in their inherited characteristics, that is, in their genes except for any differences caused by mutation. Identical twins, for example, who originate by the division of a single fertilized egg, are members of a clone, whereas nonidentical twins, who derive from two separate fertilized eggs, are not clones (Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia). There are two known ways that we can clone humans. The first way involved splitting an embryo into several halves and creating many new individuals from that embryo. The second method of cloning a human involves taking cells from an already existing human being and cloning them, in turn creating other individuals that are identical to that particular person.It is an idea that has abounded and rebounded throughout science fiction novels, and now seems a distinct possibility in the not too distant future. Sure, there will no doubt be technical problems in the production of human cloning, but the real issue is the moral and ethical side of it. Is it right? if a clone turns our to be identical, down to the last personality quirk, would we lose our sense of identity? Would clones be made for mere acceptance for the way thins our, and not include the natural human instinct to question and explore what is and was, and would be only fit to serve? Would they make clones for the army, killing machines that don't seem so human after all, and name their regiments Bob, John and Alex, with Alex including Alex 1 to 200? Will they, (like in the movie The Island) grow clones to adulthood for 'spare parts' for their wealthy counterparts?The movie the Island, in itself, presenter several interesting subjects on the issue of cloning. The owners and pioneers of the facility that held the clones hid the truth from the world, that the clones were just as human as anyone else. One interesting scene was the presentation of the idea to interested buyers by an owner, claiming that the clones were mere vegetables. he did not say that the first run did not work, on the grounds that the clones could not function and grow without proper mental stimulation and social interaction.