Despite decades of speculation, there has been no human reproductive cloning. Research cloning, also known as embryo cloning or therapeutic cloning, is another form of human cloning that produces genetically specific embryonic stem cells. Many scientists believe that human reproductive cloning can never be made safe.

Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy (or clone) of a human. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning, which is the reproduction of human cells and tissue. It does not refer to the natural conception and delivery of identical twins.

Cloning is a technique scientists use to make exact genetic copies of living things. Genes, cells, tissues, and even whole animals can all be cloned. Some clones already exist in nature. Single-celled organisms like bacteria make exact copies of themselves each time they reproduce.

Examples of cloning that occur naturally are as follows:

• vegetative reproduction in plants, e.g. water hyacinth producing multiple copies of genetically identical plants through apomixis.
• binary fission in bacteria.
• parthenogenesis in certain animals.

Besides cattle and sheep, other mammals that have been cloned from somatic cells include: cat, deer, dog, horse, mule, ox, rabbit and rat. In addition, a rhesus monkey has been cloned by embryo splitting.

Human reproductive cloning remains universally condemned, primarily for the psychological, social, and physiological risks associated with cloning. Because the risks associated with reproductive cloning in humans introduce a very high likelihood of loss of life, the process is considered unethical. …

There is an overwhelming consensus nearly worldwide, and particularly in Europe and the USA, that cloning humans is unethical and should be prohibited by criminal law.

Cloning may cause long term health defects, a study by French scientists has suggested. A two month old calf, cloned from genes taken from the ear of an adult cow, died after developing blood and heart problems.

Some scientists believe clones would face health problems ranging from subtle but potentially lethal flaws to outright deformity. But let’s ignore all that–for the moment–and cut to the bottom line: How much would it cost to clone a person? According to our estimates: about $1.7 million.

Interesting, while federal law does not directly prohibit human cloning, individual states have passed laws against cloning. There are currently 8 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virginia) that prohibit cloning for any purpose.

On Dec. 27, 2002, the group announced that the first cloned baby — named Eve — had been born the day before. By 2004, Clonaid claimed to have successfully brought to life 14 human clones.

3. It has been said that a cloned human being wouldn’t have a soul, wouldn’t be a unique individual; but clones would not be any less full human beings than the originals. If we have souls, then so would they. They would be no less their own persons than identical twins are.

These cloned sheep — Debbie, Denise, Dianna and Daisy — are genetic twins of Dolly. A new study says that cloned animals can expect to live just as long as their more conventional counterparts. “They were aging in a perfect, healthy manner.” …

Catholics believe that the soul enters the body at the moment of conception when the sperm and egg unite. Thus, Catholics and other Christian denominations that share this belief may see embryonic cloning as tantamount to live human experimentation and therefore contrary to God’s will.