As people live longer and longer, the idea of cloning human beings in order to provide spare parts is becoming a reality. The idea horrifies most people, yet it is no longer mere science fiction.
To what extent do you agree with such a procedure?
Have you any reservations?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.
The cloning of animals has been occurring for a number of years now, and this has now opened up the possibility of cloning humans too. Although there are clear benefits to humankind of cloning to provide spare body parts, I believe it raises a number of worrying ethical issues.
Due to breakthroughs in medical science and improved diets, people are living much longer than in the past. This, though, has brought with it problems. As people age, their organs can fail so they need replacing. If humans were cloned, their organs could then be used to replace those of sick people. It is currently the case that there are often not enough organ donors around to fulfill this need, so cloning humans would overcome the issue as there would then be a ready supply.
However, for good reasons, many people view this as a worrying development. Firstly, there are religious arguments against it. It would involve creating another human and then eventually killing it in order to use its organs, which it could be argued is murder. This is obviously a sin according to religious texts. Also, dilemmas would arise over what rights these people have, as surely they would be humans just like the rest of us. Furthermore, if we have the ability to clone humans, it has to be questioned where this cloning will end. Is it then acceptable for people to start cloning relatives or family members who have died?
To conclude, I do not agree with this procedure due to the ethical issues and dilemmas it would create. Cloning animals has been a positive development, but this is where it should end.
(276 words)
Comments
The essay is well-organized, with a clear introducion which introduces the topic:
The cloning of animals has been occurring for a number of years now, and this has now opened up the possibility of cloning humans too.
And it has a thesis statement that makes it clear exactly how the human cloning essay will be structured and what the candidate’s opinion is:
Although there are clear benefits to humankind of cloning to provide spare body parts, I believe it raises a number of worrying ethical issues.
The first body paragraph discusses the advantages of cloning humans, and then the second body paragraph looks at the problems associated with this. The change of direction to look at the other side is clearly marked with a transition word (“however”) and a topic sentence:
However, for good reasons, many people view this as a worrying development.
Other transition words are used effectively to guide the reader through the ideas in the human cloning essay: Firstly,.. Also,… Furthermore,…
The candidate demonstrates that they can use a mix of complex structures. For example:
Due to breakthroughs in medical science and improved diets, people are living much longer than in the past.
It would involve creating another human and then eventually killing it in order to use its organs, which it could be argued is murder.
…if we have the ability to clone humans, it has to be questioned where this cloning will end.