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Human cloning: serious threat to humanity

Most people are still squeamish about efforts to create human clones. Even the thought of it evokes images of really cheap 1950's horror flicks. But a more subtle move is underway by some scientists to give human cloning a new image. These cloning supporters like to claim that the real value of cloning is to mass produce human embryos from which embryonic stem cells (ES) can be harvested for research. But is this type of research really needed?

No, according to Dr. David Prentice, Professor of Life Sciences at Indiana State University and Adjunct Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Here's just a sampling of Dr. Prentice's recent testimony before a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Are ES cells really necessary for regenerative medicine? Despite the initial enthusiasm, ES cells to date have been disappointing. A less morally problematic and scientifically viable alternative exists-adult stem cells. Studies have shown that sufficient numbers of adult stem cells can be generated in culture for clinical applications. Even one transplanted adult stem cell from bone marrow could possibly regenerate tissue in several parts of the body. Various studies now show that adult stem cells from many tissues are 'pluripotent', with the ability to form many different tissues. The indications are that adult stem cells can regenerate all human tissues.

Examples include transformation of neural stem cells into blood, umbilical cord blood stem cells into nerve, and bone marrow stem cells into an array of tissues as diverse as cartilage, fat, bone, muscle, liver, nerve, lung, gastrointestinal tissue, and cardiac tissue. Even fat was recently found to contain stem cells. Another report suggests that placenta is rich in stem cells. And the Scottish company involved in the original cloning of Dolly the sheep, PPL Therapeutics, has reported that they have developed a technique to reprogram normal adult somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells which can be induced to form almost any tissue.

Adult stem cells have shown that they can form functional tissues when injected into the body. Bone marrow stem cells have been shown to transform into functional liver and muscle, as well as functional heart tissue, repairing cardiac damage. Bone marrow and umbilical cord blood stem cells have also been shown to migrate to the brain and provide therapeutic benefit after stroke in animal models. Adult pancreatic stem cells have reversed diabetes in mice and regenerated muscle in an animal model of muscular dystrophy.

Adult stem cells are already being used successfully for therapeutic benefit in humans. This includes treatments associated with various types of cancer, to relieve systemic lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, anemias, and immunodeficiency diseases, and restoration of sight through regeneration of corneas. And initial clinical trials have begun to repair heart damage using the patient's own adult stem cells. An acceptable, ethical alternative to embryonic stem cells does exist. Adult stem cells are making good on what are only promises of embryonic stem cells.

Therapeutic cloning is therefore unnecessary and unjustifiable. It takes a utilitarian view of human embryos, viewing them not as people, but as property, a commodity; this is 'a kind of capitalist cannibalism'".