Acceptability of Human or Organ Cloning for the Improvement of Organ Transplantation

The concept of cloning in the society brings to light the chances of major advancement in technology and improvement of human existence; however, it is said that it would kill the moral and ethical foundations of the society. Cloning is defined as the act of creating species through the knowledge in genetics, and deviating from the natural scheme of creating things which is through reproduction. It has become the most trivial breakthrough in science as it somehow staged the debate between practicality and morality of human life. Indeed, cloning has defiled the sanctity of human life, in the perspective of the moralists; however, scientists claim that through cloning, problems on organ transplantation such as the insufficiency of number of organ donors compared to the receivers would be solved immediately. When this advantage of cloning surfaced, it has stirred a great deal of public interest. Thus the question left unanswered is—can cloning be accepted in the society, if its sole purpose is for organ transplantation to protect human life?
Organ transplantation has become one of the most successful fields in medicine and surgery. This procedure revived the hope of those who have dysfunctional body organs acquired since birth and those who lost theirs through an accident. Because of organ transplantation, many lives were saved and sustained, which only proves its benevolent intention of protecting human life. Unfortunately, organ transplantation is in face of a great adversity—the deficit in population of organ donors compared to the expecting receivers. In line with this, scientists proposed that human or organ cloning would be the best solution to this problem. They insisted that cloning conveys more advantages and it is least likely to cause any harm to humankind. For instance, cloning can be used to create organs needed that will genetically match the immune system of a patient. The patient’s family or loved ones need not to endure the pain of waiting for any organ donor that would help sustain the life of the patient. According to the Human Cloning Foundation, a steadfast supporter for the promotion of cloning, cloning is not just an option for married infertile couples who wish to have children or couples who grieve over the loss of children due to some accident. In fact, organ cloning is definitely encouraged to patients and their families who wish to preserve the life of the patient. As a proof, the foundation cited this insight:
“A middle aged man has an unhealthy heart and suffers from his first heart attack at age 45. He could decide to use human cloning technology to reverse heart attacks. Scientists in the near future believe that they may be able to treat heart attack victims by cloning their healthy heart cells and injecting them into the areas of the heart that have been damaged. Instead for the man becoming part of the statistic, "heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and other industrialized countries," he can now live a long and prosperous life.”
Supporters of cloning then concluded that organ cloning for organ transplantation surely provides several benefits to humankind. This concept heralds the remarkable contribution of medicine for the betterment of human life. They further emphasized that there is absolutely nothing wrong nor anything to be feared with cloning, for it simply elevates the way of man’s living into something more progressive and pro-life.
All the propositions of the supporters of cloning have been explicitly opposed by the Christian society. The most influential people and almost the whole world’s population have been affirming their beliefs and principles through their religion or through being “pro-Christian”. With this, the ethical and moral foundation of the people is based on the teachings of the Christian Bible. In the case of other religions, although Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and the like employ different principles compared to the Bible, theologians believe that every religion concurred with the Bible’s first commandment: “I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have other gods before me.” Therefore, morally and spiritually inclined societies condemn the concept of cloning as blasphemous to the Lord for it manifested the greed of man to play the role of god.
As cited by Fr. William Saunders on his article about organ transplant and cloning and as reiterated by the late Pope John Paul II, the Church is definitely not against organ transplantation but rather, the Church highlights its significance as it “nurtures the genuine culture of life in an ethically acceptable manner.” Furthermore, the Church emphasizes that the transfer of organs must occur between a dead person who, in his lifetime, consented to donate his bodily remains for charity, and a living person struggling to keep his life. In addition, the Church inculcates to the minds of the people that although new and better forms of medical treatment have been introduced to develop human life at its best, it is still important to recognize the sacredness of human dignity, for man is not just a body but it has a soul. Therefore since cloning is considered as a blasphemous act against God which creates a dent in our dignity, it will never be morally accepted to the society no matter how feasible and efficient it may be for organ transplantation.

The advantages of cloning for organ transplantation, indeed, have been riveting. Cloning will definitely be an unparalleled accomplishment in medicine and surely, it will have a lasting effect on human life. However, no matter how noble our intentions are, if they are done in an evil manner, its noble purpose can never compensate its immorality. To be able to clone humans or even organs is already a display of man’s malicious meddling with how nature works. It only implies that man has to realize that there are certain limitations in his power over the earth. It does not necessarily mean to be passive on what nature brings us but still, it encourages us to seek for solutions for our problems and yet be humble enough to let nature take over the things man cannot. In conclusion, we are asked to be reactive and never manipulative.
Scientists may argue that this conservative and traditional way of thinking will only cause regression than being liberated from ignorance. But still, let us remind ourselves that there are different types of progress—physical and moral/spiritual. An intelligent mind is trash compared to a pure human’s dignity. Likewise being technologically advanced would be nonsensical if we were undermining humanity thru violating our ethical and moral values. As Socrates have once said, “it is not living that matters but living rightly,” life is given to us to take good care of it, both body and soul. A soul cannot exist with a declining body nor can a body with a perishing soul. Therefore, despite all the benefits of applying cloning to the society, it still cannot conceal the fact that we have neglected our own moral principles.