Scientists test Frankenstein's theories

“Look! It's moving. It's alive!”

The words of Henry Frankenstein from the 1931 classic echo in my mind as I think of human cloning.

Back in the days when cartoons were actually entertaining, I laughed when the characters cloned themselves and watched in amusement as they got into various types of trouble. Now I shake my head in wonder that scientists are actually able to successfully clone animals and stem cells, but I cannot agree with human cloning.

Just because it can be done does not mean it should be.
Yes, many animals have been cloned, but these cases are still rare and very unreliable. Even the famous sheep, Dolly, the incredible clone of 1997, died after six years. The average life expectancy of sheep is 10-12 years.

Dolly was created using the somatic cell nuclear transfer. According to howstuffworks.com, in this procedure, the nucleus is taken from a donated egg, making it an enucleated egg. Scientists then take a cell, containing DNA, from the subject they wish to clone, and fuse it with the enucleated egg using electricity. The result is an embryo. The downside is only two or three out of 100 embryos successfully make it through the processes of creation and         gestation.

Dolly was lucky try 277.

One reason some people want cloning to be successful is so they can clone children or other family members who have died. Sadly, I wonder if it would still be the same person. They may look the same, but would they behave and respond and think like the being who died? Or would it be a cruel and taunting imitation?

Other couples, who are unable to have children naturally, want cloning to work so they can create a baby with at least some of the parents’ characteristics. Scientists claim to be able to do this by taking cells from the father and placing it in a mother’s egg. This is not quite as drastic as complete replicas of somebody who has already existed. I’m actually in favor of this procedure since it does not mentally affect, or defect, the original subject or the clone.

Another reason cloning is a popular idea is for therapeutic cloning. This uses an embryonic clone, with a sick person’s DNA, to grow stem cells. Scientists say these stem cells can then be used to grow replacement organs or grow neurons, which can be used to cure people who suffer from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Rett Syndrome.

Jan. 18, scientists from a California company announced they had successfully created the first mature human embryo of cloning. Some people call the cloned embryos genetic twins of the donating patients. Identical twins occur when an embryo splits in two. Some scientists claim they are simply repeating nature.

While scientists in California thought the embryos could become humans, the incredible creations were used for stem-cell research.

When some people were asked their opinion on cloning, only a few people could argue for both sides. Invariably, the response was strongly opposed.

The overall fear is that scientists will clone humans to harvest the organs. While this may seem a little far-fetched, I’ll admit to having similar thoughts.

Stem-cell research should continue if no embryos are used while trying to create organs, neurons and replacement tissue. Mixing two people’s DNA to create a baby of their own is acceptable. However, scientists should not duplicate human beings who have already existed.

The ultimate question in human cloning seems obvious, but what is the answer?

What about the clone’s soul? Sure you can recreate the body, but how can you replicate a soul? For that matter, how do you create an individual’s thought process, emotions, behaviors and unique quirks?

Let’s learn from Dr. Henry Frankenstein’s mistake and not pretend to be God.