Embryonic stem cell research is a highly controversial topic, especially in developed nations around the world. The debate primarily focuses on the morality of destroying human embryos. In the United States, federal agencies are prohibited from funding human cloning. In 2001, the House of Representatives enacted The Human Cloning Prohibition Act that advocated for the prohibition of human cloning, be it for reproductive or therapeutic purposes (Scott & Weissman, 2015). The bill was abdicated because it was not passed by the Senate. Opponents of human cloning argue that an embryo is a human being that has rights and whose moral standing should be respected. Proponents argue that the destruction of embryos for clinical research is ethical, and therefore, should be encouraged. Human cloning should not be allowed in the United States because it is an affront to human life and dignity. After conception, an embryo becomes a human being with a moral standing; it has rights that should be respected (Scott & Weissman, 2015). Human cloning involves the destruction of human embryos for the sole purpose of obtaining stem cells to be used for research. It is unethical to produce and destroy an embryo in order to make a line of embryonic stem cells (Scott & Weissman, 2015). Cloning promotes the idea that human life can be created and expanded anyhow, thus watering down the principle of human life protection. Legalizing cloning could create disrespect for human life and ultimately diminish its value. Embryonic cloning has been associated with cellular degradation, resulting from the production of too many clones from embryos. Every human being has a right to an exclusive identity. However, cloning transfers a similar identity to clones that are produced from a single embryo (Scott & Weissman, 2015). Cloning could also have negative impacts, such as the production of psychological distress, bad health, and shortened life for the clone. In that regard, human embryo cloning should not be allowed in the United States.
Reference
Scott, C. S., & Weissman, I. L. (2015). Cloning. The Hasting Center. Web.