WiLL WE LIVE TO SEE THE FIRST CLONED HUMAN? Films and science fiction books have often played with the idea of reproducing exact copies of people. Today, science fiction has become science fact. We have our first real clones, though they are not human beings — yet!
The gene revolution began in 1997, when British scientists from Edinburgh University produced the first cloned sheep, Dolly. Since then scientists have cloned mice, cows, dogs and pigs.
Cloning animals opens exciting medical possibilities:
- Many people are in need of tissues and organs for transplantation. But it isn't easy to get such organs as, for example, heart, liver or kidneys. Cloning can solve this problem.
— Many animals are on the brink of extinction. Cloning can be used to preserve them.
— Scientists can create animals which produce more milk, meat and wool, or animals which don't catch certain diseases. This can save the lives of starving people.
Cloning is a controversial issue. Some people are ready to eat cloned fruits and vegetables, but many people are against cloning animals. They think it is morally unacceptable. The question of human cloning is even more controversial.
Suppose we cloned a man.
Are we really sure he will be a man? Who will be responsible for him? Who will bring him up? Will he be happy? Will he have the same rights as we have?
What would happen if a dictator, someone like Hitler, cloned himself?
Would we be able to survive?
Nevertheless, the idea of human cloning seems very exciting.
Questions
1 Is cloning a controversial issue?
2 Who produced the first cloned sheep?
3 What medical possibilities does cloning animals open?
4 Can cloning be used to preserve endangered species?
5 Scientists say that one day it will be possible to clone a dinosaur.
6 Does the idea seem exciting to you?
7 Do you think cloning can solve the problems of food shortages?
8 Are you for or against cloning animals? Why?
9. it would be exactly like you — from your hair colour to all your diseases. Would you like to have a clone?
10 What would happen if a dictator cloned himself?
11. Are you for or against cloning people?
1) yes
2)yes
3)- Scientists can create animals which produce more milk, meat and wool, or animals which don't catch certain diseases. This can save the lives of starving people.
4) yes
5) no
6) yes
7) yes
9) no